New Delhi, April 2 Disturbing statistics about the conditions of Indian workers abroad reveal that over 20 individuals have died overseas each day over the past five years, with the majority of fatalities occurring in Gulf nations.
According to data provided by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on January 29, the total number of Indian worker fatalities abroad reached 37,740 between 2021 and 2025. The breakdown of the causes of these deaths was not provided.
The data showed that the highest number of deaths occurred in 2021, with 8,234 Indian workers losing their lives abroad. Following a dip to 6,614 deaths in 2022, casualties have risen steadily year-on-year, reaching 7,291 in 2023, 7,747 in 2024, and 7,854 in 2025.
Gulf countries accounted for over 86 per cent of these deaths. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia recorded the highest number of casualties, with 12,380 and 11,757 deaths, respectively, over the five-year period. They were followed by Kuwait (3,890), Oman (2,821), Malaysia (1,915), and Qatar (1,760).
During this period, Indian missions overseas received 80,985 complaints of abuse, exploitation, and workplace grievances from Indian nationals. The UAE accounted for the highest volume of these grievances, with 16,965 complaints registered between 2021 and 2025. Kuwait followed with 15,234, Oman with 13,295, and Saudi Arabia with 12,988.
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