On July 4, the United States celebrated its 248th anniversary, a nation founded in 1776 without any future citizens from India. Fast forward to today, Indian Americans play a significant role in shaping the country’s future. This was highlighted in a landmark report by the nonprofit group Indiaspora, detailing the contributions of Indian Americans across various sectors.
The report, named “Small Community, Big Contributions, Boundless Horizons,” was created in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group. It explores the impact of Indian Americans in economic, scientific, social, cultural, and civic areas. Despite making up just 1.5% of the U.S. population, Indian Americans contribute significantly, paying more than 5% of taxes. In public service, their representation rose from 1.7% in 2013 to 4.4% last year. They also constitute 10% of all physicians in the U.S., serve 30% of patients, and hold leadership positions in 35 of the top 50 colleges.
The entrepreneurial spirit of Indian Americans is evident, with 11% of nearly 650 unicorn startups founded by them. In the hospitality industry, they own 60% of all hotels in the U.S., generating $700 billion in revenue and creating 4 million jobs annually.
The report highlights that half of the Indian American population resides in California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois. It also notes that a fifth of Indian Americans live in multi-generational homes, echoing the joint family system in India.
The secret to their financial success lies in education and professional engagement. Over three-fourths of Indian Americans hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and a similar percentage work in high-paying professions. Sixteen Indian American CEOs lead Fortune 500 companies.
The report concludes that Indian Americans are a powerhouse of talent, resilience, and diversity, enriching America through their contributions in technology, healthcare, education, arts, and science. However, there are areas for improvement, such as philanthropy. While Indian American households gave $1.5 billion in 2023, this is a fraction of the half-trillion dollars given annually by all American households.
Additionally, the community faces challenges, including a significant undocumented immigrant population, which has grown from 33,000 in 1996 to 725,000 in 2021. This highlights a need for greater empathy and discussion within the Indian American community regarding undocumented immigration.
The report emphasizes the role of the U.S. in providing an environment that allows Indian Americans to thrive, supported by values of meritocracy and equal opportunity. As Jagdish “Jag” Sheth, an Indian American marketing scholar, eloquently put it, the value added to a human being through education and opportunities is infinite. This encapsulates the American investment in immigrants and the reciprocal contributions of Indian American immigrants in shaping the country’s future.
