Indian-Americans, just 1.5% of US population but employing millions
Indian-Americans, just 1.5% of US population but employing millions
Indian-Americans, now a community of five million strong, have emerged as one of the most influential immigrant groups in the US. Despite making up just 1.5% of the US population, the community with contributions across various sectors, like business, academia, culture and public service, according to a recent report by Indiaspora, a non-profit organisation.
"Indian-Americans account for only 1.5% of the US population, yet they continue to have an outsised and positive impact across different aspects of US society," said Indiaspora founder MR Rangaswami, reported PTI.
The study, "Indiaspora Impact Report: Small Community, Big Contributions", conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, is the first in a series highlighting the Indian diaspora's impact on American public service, business, culture, and innovation.
The report details how Indian-Americans have founded major companies, significantly boosted the tax base, and played a key role in the US's economic growth.
INDIAN-AMERICAN IN BUSINESS AND INNOVATION
Indian-origin CEOs lead 16 Fortune 500 companies, including Sundar Pichai of Google and Reshma Kewalramani of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, collectively employing 2.7 million Americans and generating nearly one trillion dollars in revenue.
Beyond big corporations, Indian-Americans also have a strong presence in the startup ecosystem, co-founding 72 out of 648 US unicorns, such as Cambridge Mobile Telematics and Solugen, which employ over 55,000 people and are valued at $195 billion, according to the report.
Indian-Americans own about 60% of all hotels in the United States, added the report.
The financial contributions of Indian Americans are noteworthy, as the community is estimated to pay about 5-6% of all income taxes, amounting to $250 billion to $300 billion.
Furthermore, their businesses indirectly create 11-12 million American jobs.
INDIAN-AMERICANS IN SCIENCE AND ACADEMIA
In academia, the contributions are equally impressive.
Between 1975 and 2019, the share of patents in the US held by Indian-origin innovators increased from 2% to 10%.
In 2023, Indian-origin scientists received about 11% of all National Institutes of Health grants and contributed to 13% of scientific publications.
Influential figures like immunotherapy pioneer Navin Varadarajan and former National Science Foundation director Subra Suresh have made groundbreaking advancements in healthcare, the report noted.
Indian-Americans also make up about 2.6% of all full-time faculty in US colleges and universities, with standout leaders such as Neeli Bendapudi, the first female president of Penn State, and Arun Majumdar, the first Dean of Stanford's Doerr School of Sustainability.
INDIAN-AMERICANS CULTURALLY INFLUENCED THE US LANDSCAPE
Culturally, Indian-Americans have significantly shaped the US landscape.
Chefs like Michelin-starred Vikas Khanna and Maneet Chauhan have brought Indian cuisine to mainstream America, while wellness practices promoted by figures like Deepak Chopra have popularised Ayurveda and holistic health.
Yoga, introduced by Swami Vivekananda, has become a staple in American wellness routines, with around 10% of Americans practising it by 2023.
Indian festivals such as Diwali and Holi are now widely celebrated in the US, and Bollywood's influence continues to grow with stars like Priyanka Chopra Jonas making successful transitions to Hollywood.
In fashion, traditional elements like henna and lehengas (a form of ankle-length skirt) are becoming mainstream, with designers like Falguni and Shane Peacock showcasing their work at New York Fashion Week, according to the report.
The Indian diaspora is also prominent in literature, with authors like Jhumpa Lahiri and Abraham Verghese offering profound insights into the Indian-American experience.
Philanthropically, organisations like the American India Foundation and the Desai Foundation have raised substantial funds to improve lives both in the US and India.
In politics, Indian-Americans are increasingly visible, holding over 150 important positions in the federal administration by 2023, up from 60 in 2013. This includes Vice-President Kamala Harris, who made history as the first woman, the first African American and the first South Asian American to hold the post.
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