Indiaspora, a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting the contributions of Indian Americans and their influence on the United States, has published a new report titled *”Small Community, Big Contributions, Boundless Horizons: The Indian Diaspora in the United States.”* The report draws on data from the Migration Policy Institute and provides a detailed look at the impact of the Indian diaspora in the US, which consists of 5.1 million Indian Americans, including both those born in India and those born in the US. Despite making up only 1.5% of the total US population, their contributions are significant.
According to the report, 45% of Indian Americans migrated to the US after 2010, while about 30% arrived before 2000. The majority of this population is concentrated in states like New York and California. The report also highlights that Indian migrants have played a pivotal role in the US startup ecosystem, leading 72 out of 648 unicorn startups. These startups collectively exceed a valuation of $195 billion and employ around 55,000 people, making up 13% of all unicorn employees in the US.
In addition to their contributions to the tech sector, Indian Americans have a substantial presence in the hospitality and retail industries. Indian Americans own 60% of all US hotels, generating approximately $700 billion in revenue and creating over 4 million jobs, both directly and indirectly, every year. Furthermore, they own 35% to 50% of all convenience stores across the country, contributing $350 to $490 billion in annual revenues.
The report further details the economic impact of Indian Americans, who contribute an estimated $300 billion in tax revenues annually. Additionally, their spending, which amounts to $370 to $460 billion each year, significantly boosts sales tax revenue, supports business growth, and sustains employment across various sectors.
Indian Americans have also made remarkable contributions to academia and research. In 2023, 13% of all journal publications in the US had Indian-origin co-authors, a notable increase from 11% in 2015. Indian Americans also hold prominent leadership roles in 35 of the top 50 colleges in the US, including positions such as deans, chancellors, provosts, and directors.
The cultural impact of the Indian diaspora is evident as well, with 28 out of the 34 Scripps Spelling Bee winners since 2000 being of Indian origin. In terms of philanthropy, Indian Americans have donated $3 billion to US universities since 2008 and contribute between $1.5 and $2 billion annually to charitable causes.
