Saudi Arabia and the UAE accounted for the vast majority of Indian worker fatalities across Gulf countries from 2021 to 2025 – over 71% of total recorded deaths. According to figures released by ministry of external affairs (MEA) in Parliament on Thursday, Saudi Arabia topped the list with 11,923 deaths, and the UAE was second with 11,489 fatalities. Kuwait reported 3,890 deaths, Oman 2,457, Qatar 1,548 and Bahrain 1,206 deaths. Most nations experienced a sharp spike in deaths in 2021, likely correlated with Covid-19 pandemic, followed by a decline in 2022.From 2022 onwards, while countries like Bahrain and Qatar registered lower death counts, Saudi Arabia and the UAE recorded upward trends through 2024-2025. Approximately 10 million Indian nationals reside in the six GCC countries, with the UAE alone accounting for 4.5 million Indians.
