The community of Indians in Kuwait includes Indian expatriates in Kuwait, as well as Kuwaiti citizens of Indian origin or descent. According to the Indian ministry of external affairs, there are around 1,000,726 Indians as of 2023.[1] The majority of these originate from the south Indian states of Kerala, Karnataka, panjabi Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, with the former constituting for 66% of the population of Indian nationals.[2][3]
Total population | |
---|---|
1,000,726 (2023)[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Kuwait City • Al Jahra • Farwaniya • Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh • Salmiya | |
Languages | |
Malayalam • Kannada • Telugu • Hindi • Tamil • Tulu • Urdu • Rajasthani • Konkani • Gujarati • Languages of India | |
Religion | |
Hinduism • Christianity • Islam • Sikhism • Religions of India | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Indian diaspora |
Overview
editKuwaitis view India as a fast-growing economy and a source of highly qualified professional and technical personnel.
Professionals like Engineers, doctors, Lawyers, Chartered accountants, Scientists, software experts, management professionals and consultants, Architects, retail traders and businessmen mainly constitute the Indian community. Of late, there has been an increase in the number of highly qualified Indian experts in hi-tech areas, especially in the software and financial sector in Kuwait. In the field of health, India not only supplies top specialists but also para-medical staff who enjoy a high reputation. Inward remittances from Kuwait to India are substantial.
There are 18 Indian schools in Kuwait affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).[4] There were 164 Indian community Associations earlier registered with the Indian Embassy of Kuwait. Following introduction of a re-registration requirement, 106 of these Indian community Associations have once again registered with the Embassy and the number of registered Associations is growing at a steady pace.
Religion
editIndian are the most numerous expat group in Kuwait,[5] consisting of a number of Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists. Muslims account for the largest number of expatriates in Kuwait.[6] Members of religious groups not mentioned in the Quran, such as Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, are not allowed to build official places of worship. However, these groups have religious freedom and can freely engage in religious activities, including public marriage and other celebrations.[7]
Region
editSouth Indians are found in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, Farwaniya,[8] Mangaf, Salmiya Little, Mahboula.
Most North Indians are found in Salmiya.[9]
Education
editIndian schools in Kuwait include:
- Bharatiya Vidya Bhavans – Indian Educational School, Smart Indian School
- Indian Public School
- Salmiya Indian Model School Kuwait
- Jabriya Indian School
- Indian Central School (Kuwait)
- Indian Community School Kuwait
- India International School (Kuwait)
- Carmel School (Kuwait)
- Indian English Academy School
- Fahaheel Al Watanieh Indian Private School
- United Indian School
- Learners Own Academy
- Integrated Indian School
- Indian Central School
- Gulf Indian School
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b ""Brief on Indian Community in Kuwait"". "Embassy of India, Kuwait". Retrieved 3 August 2024.
- ^ "Indian Community" (PDF). Ministry of External Affairs. December 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2013.
- ^ "Kuwaitstay.com – Indians in Kuwait". Archived from the original on 17 December 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2010.
- ^ "CBSE Schools In Kuwait". www.cbseschool.org. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
- ^ Dipiazza, Francesca Davis (2007). Kuwait in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 48. ISBN 9780822565895.
- ^ Kuwait Times – Religions in Kuwait: How expatriates worship
- ^ UNHCR Refworld – 2008 Report on International Religious Freedom – Kuwait
- ^ "Property for rent in Farwaniya for Indian and other expats". Properties for rent in Farwaniya.
- ^ "Properties for rent in Salmiya for Indian Expats". Real Estate Company in Kuwait.