Around 62 million people, mostly foreign workers, are currently stranded in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran. The GCC nations—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates—collectively host about 35 million foreign residents, most of whom come from South Asia.

Foreign workers have long been a vital part of the GCC labor force, contributing to sectors such as construction, domestic work, security, and sanitation, as well as skilled industries like banking, technology, aviation, and healthcare. According to Global Media Insight, the largest expatriate groups in the region are from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, the Philippines, Yemen, Sudan, Nepal, Syria, and Sri Lanka.

Saudi Arabia hosts the largest foreign population, followed by the UAE and Kuwait. These expatriates play a crucial role in building and maintaining the Gulf’s modern infrastructure and economy, with many considering the region their second home despite not being citizens.