Hindus are more likely to emigrate from Bangladesh and Pakistan than from India or Nepal. Although Hindus are a small minority in Bangladesh (8%) and Pakistan (2%), they make up 21% and 8% of international migrants from these countries, respectively
A recent report by the Pew Research Center reveals significant differences in the religious composition of Indians who choose to emigrate compared to those who remain in India. While 80% of India’s population is Hindu, only 41% of Indian emigrants identify as Hindu. In contrast, Muslims represent 15% of India’s population but comprise 33% of those born in India who now live abroad. Similarly, Christians, who make up about 2% of the Indian population, constitute 16% of Indian emigrants.
Nepal and Bhutan also have substantial Hindu migrant populations relative to their overall population sizes, though they are not among the most popular destinations. Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Pakistan are the leading countries of origin for Hindu migrants outside of India
Hindu migrants represent a relatively small share of the global migrant population, making up just 5%, with around 13 million Hindus living outside their country of birth as of 2020. Despite their smaller numbers, Hindus tend to migrate longer distances than other groups, averaging 3,100 miles from their country of origin. This is notably longer than the 2,200-mile average for migrants overall.
The United States stands out as the top destination for foreign-born Hindus, with 2.6 million residing there, accounting for 19% of all Hindus living outside India. Moving from India to the U.S. is the most popular pathway for Hindu migrants globally, with about 1.8 million making this journey. These immigrants, like other Indian immigrants, often arrive for employment or family reunification and typically possess higher levels of education and family income than those who remain in India.
Aside from the United States, other popular destinations for Hindu migrants include the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where many work temporarily, frequently renewing their work permits. If the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—were considered a single destination, they would collectively be the most common destination for Hindu migrants from India. Approximately 3 million Hindus from India live in GCC countries, where foreign workers constitute a significant portion of the workforce.
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