Global Map of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)

🧭 Overview

The Pravasi Setu Foundation proudly unveils the first-ever global map visualizing the distribution of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) across more than 200 countries. Developed using verified data this high-resolution map presents a comprehensive view of the Indian community living abroad in temporary, long-term, or professional capacities.

📊 What the Map Shows

Geographic spread of NRIs by country
Population ranges classified using a consistent scale (shared with our PIO map)
Highlights top NRI host countries such as:
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Saudi Arabia
- United Kingdom
- Canada, and others

This choropleth map offers researchers, policymakers, and the public an intuitive way to explore India’s living global presence.

✅ Why This Map Matters

India has the largest overseas population in the world, and understanding the NRI component — distinct from Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) — is essential for:

Diaspora diplomacy
Labor migration policy
Academic research
Cultural engagement

This map complements our PIO global map, enabling direct comparison between NRIs and PIOs for the first time in a visual, accessible format.

📥 Download the NRI Map

NRIs_PSF Download

We invite researchers, institutions, and diaspora organizations to use and cite this work with proper attribution.

🔖 Citation & Use

This map is part of Pravasi Setu Foundation’s mission to promote data-driven understanding of India’s diaspora. For reproduction, citation, or public use, please include the following:

© 2025 Pravasi Setu Foundation. All rights reserved.
Data Source: Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
Map design and GIS visualization by: Pravasi Setu Foundation

Authors

PSF Research

The Pravasi Setu Foundation is a leading think tank and research institution dedicated to addressing the multifaceted challenges and opportunities related to migration. We focus on both internal migration within India and the Indian diaspora across the globe. Our mission is to serve as a bridge between migrant communities and policymakers, advocating for inclusive policies that empower migrants while shaping public and global conversations on migration.
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Prakash Kumar Jha

Prakash Kumar Jha is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Pravasi Setu Foundation, an organization dedicated to bridging research and advocacy on migration and diaspora issues. As a Senior Research Fellow of the University Grants Commission and a PhD candidate at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Prakash focuses his academic research on the Indian diaspora in Madagascar, exploring their economic, social, cultural, and political contributions from 1960 to 2019. Prakash is also the editor of Pravasi Pulse, a magazine that highlights key themes related to migration and diaspora, fostering discussions around identity, culture, and policy. Prakash believes in producing meaningful research and fostering dialogue to address the complexities of migration, with a focus on inclusion and understanding. Through the Pravasi Setu Foundation, he hopes to contribute to building bridges between communities and fostering deeper insights into the migration experience.
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3 responses to “Global Map of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)”

First-Ever Global Map of Overseas Indians Released by Pravasi Setu Foundation – Pravasi Setu Foundation

August 3, 2025

[…] 📌 Global Map of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) […]

Know India Programme 2025 – 83rd Edition Applications Open | Ministry of External Affairs – Pravasi Setu Foundation

October 9, 2025

[…] Global Map of Non-Resident Indians […]

Swades (2004): A Critical Analysis of Diaspora, Return, and National Belonging – Pravasi Setu Foundation

October 15, 2025

[…] Gowariker’s Swades (2004) presents a counter-narrative to the typical Bollywood treatment of non-resident Indians (NRIs). Rather than celebrating material success abroad, the film engages critically with questions of […]