Indian workers are in high demand across six countries, as recently highlighted by India’s Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. He revealed that Germany alone requires at least 90,000 Indian employees annually. This raises questions about job availability for Indians in other countries like the US, UK, Canada, Russia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Job Vacancies and Indian Workforce Statistics
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) report for 2026 shows about 7.2 million job vacancies in the US, 800,000 in the UK, and nearly 500,000 in Canada as of February 2025. The Gulf countries are estimated to have around 2.7 million open positions. However, these numbers represent total vacancies and are not exclusive to Indian workers.
United States: Over 7 Million Vacancies
About 7.1 million jobs were vacant in the US in August 2026. According to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, this was a decrease from 7.335 million vacancies in July. The American job market offers opportunities for Indians in technology, engineering, healthcare, and research sectors through the H-1B visa program. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported that in fiscal year 2024, 71% of approved H-1B petitions were filed by individuals of Indian origin, reflecting approvals rather than overall US demand.
United Kingdom: More Than 700,000 Vacancies
Between May and July 2026, around 707,000 jobs were open in the UK, particularly in health services, social care, and education. As of December 2025, approximately 1,029,000 jobs were held by Indian nationals, the highest among any foreign nationality group. The number of Indian-held jobs grew by 54,200 over a year, indicating an expanding Indian workforce in the UK.
Opportunities in Canada, Russia, UAE, and Saudi Arabia
Canada aims to admit 230,000 temporary foreign workers in 2026 via the International Mobility Program and Temporary Foreign Worker Program combined. These openings span health services, construction, agriculture, and technology sectors. NITI Aayog expects about 500,000 vacancies in Canada during this period, though the numbers are not specific to Indians.
India and Russia agreed to allow nearly 70,000 skilled Indian workers in 2026, mainly for construction and logistics. By late 2025, 70,000 to 80,000 Indians were already employed in Russia. Recent reports from January 2026 anticipated at least 40,000 more would migrate to Russia within the year.
The UAE is a major destination for Indian workers. Official data from the Ministry of External Affairs states that 200,686 Indians received immigration clearance to the UAE in 2025. Approximately 4.326 million Indians resided there by March 2026. Employment is prevalent in construction, hospitality, transport, logistics, finance, and technology. A 2026 ManpowerGroup survey showed 56% of UAE employers planned to increase their workforce early in the year, though it did not specify Indian hires.
Saudi Arabia also hosts a significant Indian workforce. The ministry reported 136,812 Indian workers received clearance to work there in 2025. By March 2026, about 2.748 million Indians lived in Saudi Arabia. Indians primarily work in construction, agriculture, hospitality, retail, and domestic services. The US Department of State estimated that roughly 13.2 million foreign workers made up 77% of the Saudi labor force in 2025, with Indian workers forming a significant segment.
Implications for Indian Workers Abroad
These figures highlight varied opportunities for Indian workers worldwide. The US and UK prioritize skilled roles in technology and healthcare, while Russia focuses on construction and logistics. The UAE and Saudi Arabia emphasize sectors like construction, transport, and hospitality. Immigration clearances offer a partial view, mainly reflecting non-ECR passport holders who need prior approval before overseas employment.
