India is now recognized as the world’s leading source of skilled talent for advanced economies. In 2023, nearly 600,000 Indians migrated to OECD countries—an 8% rise compared to the previous year—making India the top origin country for new migrants. This migration reflects a shift from low-wage labour to skilled and semi-skilled roles, as Indian professionals fill crucial shortages in sectors like healthcare, technology, construction, and aged care.
Within the healthcare sector, India ranks among the top three sources of foreign-trained doctors and top two for nurses employed in OECD member states. Formal migration pathways, such as the UK’s Health and Care Worker Visa and Ireland’s International Medical Graduate Training Initiative, have significantly contributed to this trend, allowing Indian professionals to train, work, and integrate into international health systems.
Indian workers are increasingly present in industries such as aged care in Australia and construction and seasonal work in Greece, facilitated by new labour agreements between governments. Even as visa rules tighten and more compliance measures are introduced—such as contract requirements in Poland and wage benchmarks in Latvia—the demand for Indian talent remains high. These new regulations are reshaping migration, making it more transparent and focused on skills.
The 2025 OECD report highlights a notable rise in Indian women participating in international labour markets, especially in caregiving and education. Additionally, a wave of Indian graduates is transitioning from study to full-time employment, driving growth in IT, health, and research across several nations.
India’s migration impact is not limited to temporary work. Approximately 225,000 Indians acquired citizenship in OECD countries in 2023, particularly in Canada, the US, and Australia. Indian students now represent 14% of all tertiary-level international students in OECD countries, with many using post-study work visas to enter skilled sectors.
While this skilled migration strengthens host countries, the report cautions that India must enhance domestic workforce planning, especially in healthcare, to prevent shortages at home. Ultimately, Indian workers, from doctors to software engineers, are a workforce that the world increasingly depends upon, with demand set to keep growing.
