What's the population of Indians in Qatar?

The Indian population in Qatar is now estimated at about 720,000 which means Indians live in Qatar in greater numbers than any other expatriate community. It turns out that roughly 1.8 to 2 million of Qatar’s population are from Asian countries, making up around 65–70% of the total population — the majority being from South Asia. Since most of Qatar’s population is made up of people from other countries, Indians shape both its population and its economy.

Indians: The largest expatriate group in Qatar

The Indian community has long played a foundational and essential role in Qatar’s workforce and economic development, along with other key expatriate communities such as Filipinos, Bangladeshis, and Nepalese. People from India began moving to Qatar several decades back because of work available in construction, oil and gas, transport, hospitality, healthcare and professional areas. Nowadays, Indians are found working in many different areas of Qatari society such as in manual work, as well as senior administrative and executive roles.

A big number of Indians living in Qatar come from southern India, mainly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. While most Indian expats come from southern states, people from northern and western India are also present in Qatar.

Why are there so many Indians in Qatar?

There are several reasons for the strong Indian presence in Qatar:

The country is able to offer many economic opportunities owing to its natural gas and oil. Increased growth in both infrastructure and industries has raised the need for labor and professionals and India has solved this problem consistently.
India and Qatar have built strong connectivity in many fields of diplomacy and economy since 1973. High-profile visits help improve areas such as energy, trade, investment and the support given to Indian communities living in Qatar.
In recent times, Qatar has made it easier for foreigners to get visas, so that citizens of India and 89 other nations can stay in Qatar without a visa for a short period. The result is better mobility and more chances for people to work or travel for a while.

The Indian role in Qatari society

Indians in Qatar have become a full and active part of the community. Schools, cultural events, places of worship and businesses from India are strongly represented in Doha and many other cities. Most people in the community act based on the rule of law, are hard-working and get along with each other.

During the FIFA World Cup 2022, Indian workers were important in handling logistics, welcoming people and moving them around. The government and the local people valued and gave proper appreciation to what the Indian community did.

While Indian workers contribute significantly to the Qatari economy, especially in infrastructure and service sectors, many also face challenges such as long hours, limited legal recourse, or difficult working conditions. In response, Qatar has introduced several labor reforms since 2020 aimed at improving wages, mobility rights, and protection standards for foreign workers.

Conclusion

All in all, about 720,000 Indians are currently living in Qatar, making them the biggest group of expats there. Qatari society has Indians as an important part of its community, helping to build the nation and make it stable. As a result of peaceful relations and close ties with India, the Indian community in Qatar keeps prospering.

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