"Gulf Nations Dominate Suicide Cases of Indian Expats Abroad, Reveals MEA Data"

Over 1,900 Indian Citizens Abroad Die by Suicide in Last Three Years, Gulf Countries Top the List

In a concerning revelation, data provided in Parliament shows that over the last three years, more than 1,900 Indian citizens have died by suicide in foreign countries. The majority of these tragic incidents, totaling 1,340, occurred in Gulf countries, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reporting the highest number of cases at 511.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) disclosed that out of the 1,340 suicide cases in Gulf countries, the breakdown is as follows: Saudi Arabia (354), Kuwait (162), Oman (146), Bahrain (101), and Qatar (66). The total number of Indian citizens who have died by suicide between 2023 and 2025 is estimated to be over 1,900.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries accounted for over 70% of the total suicide cases, with Malaysia (131) and the United States (62) following behind. Additionally, Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom each recorded over 30 cases during the three-year period.

In response to the concerning rise in suicide cases among Indian citizens abroad, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted various measures taken by the Government of India. These initiatives include the Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna (PBBY), a mandatory insurance scheme for Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers going to ECR countries.

Under the PBBY scheme, workers receive insurance coverage of Rs 10 lakh in case of accidental death or permanent disability, along with other benefits, at a nominal premium of Rs 275 for two years or Rs 375 for three years.

While the reasons behind the increase in suicide cases remain unclear, the government's emphasis on ensuring the well-being and protection of Indian workers overseas is evident through initiatives like the PBBY. The data also reveals the various causes of death among Indian citizens abroad, including workplace accidents, natural causes, crime, and others.

Workplace accidents have led to a significant number of fatalities among Indian citizens abroad, with Saudi Arabia recording 182 cases, the UAE 128 cases, Canada 40 cases, Maldives 13 cases, Singapore 32 cases, and the US 46 cases. The total number of Indian citizens who have lost their lives in foreign countries over the past three years exceeds 39,000.

Divya A, a seasoned journalist covering travel, tourism, culture, and social issues, brings attention to these distressing statistics. With a decade of experience in journalism, she is dedicated to shedding light on important matters affecting Indian citizens both at home and abroad.