AI Generated Summary
- According to the research, professionals of Indian origin make up a substantial share of the UK’s technology and IT workforce—an especially significant finding given that Britain ranks as the world’s second-largest tech hub, behind only the United States and China.
- A new study has identified the Indian community as the most economically successful migrant group in the United Kingdom, highlighting its long-standing and wide-ranging contribution to the country’s economy, public services and global influence.
- Indian migrants filled vital roles in manufacturing, transport and public services, helping stabilise a nation emerging from conflict and contributing to the early foundations of what became the National Health Service.
A new study has identified the Indian community as the most economically successful migrant group in the United Kingdom, highlighting its long-standing and wide-ranging contribution to the country’s economy, public services and global influence.
Published by Aston University in collaboration with multicultural advertising agency Here & Now 365, the report draws on extensive economic and labour market data to place Indians at the forefront of migrant success in Britain. High employment rates, strong educational outcomes and a deeply ingrained culture of entrepreneurship are cited as defining features of the community’s impact.
According to the research, professionals of Indian origin make up a substantial share of the UK’s technology and IT workforce—an especially significant finding given that Britain ranks as the world’s second-largest tech hub, behind only the United States and China. Indian-led businesses and professional networks, the report notes, have been instrumental in creating jobs, developing skills and facilitating knowledge exchange across the country.
“The Indian diaspora is woven into the UK’s growth story,” the report states, pointing to enterprises, research initiatives and innovation-driven networks that have helped fuel national development at both local and global levels.
Beyond economics, the study emphasises the role successive generations of Indians have played in strengthening public services and enhancing Britain’s international standing. It charts this influence across four major waves of migration since India’s independence, together forming a narrative of resilience, adaptation and sustained contribution spanning more than seven decades.
The first wave followed the Second World War, when Britain faced acute labour shortages. Indian migrants filled vital roles in manufacturing, transport and public services, helping stabilise a nation emerging from conflict and contributing to the early foundations of what became the National Health Service.
A second wave arrived in the early 1970s after the expulsion of Asians from East Africa under Uganda’s Idi Amin. Many of those who came to Britain brought business experience and entrepreneurial skills. Over time, they established enterprises, revitalised local economies and embedded a strong culture of enterprise in towns and cities across the UK.
The third phase of migration reflected a broader shift in Britain’s economy towards knowledge-intensive industries. Increasingly, Indian migrants were highly skilled professionals working in finance, medicine, engineering, education and other specialist fields. This period marked a transition from predominantly blue-collar employment to leadership roles in sectors central to long-term growth.
The most recent wave has been shaped by the post-Brexit and post-pandemic landscape. The report underscores the strategic importance of Indian talent in addressing critical skills shortages, particularly in healthcare, social care and technology. Indian-born professionals now account for an estimated 15 per cent of the UK’s technology workforce, highlighting their role in driving innovation, digital transformation and productivity.
Manish Tiwari, founder of Here & Now 365, said the findings reflect a legacy of contribution that spans generations. “Indian migrants helped rebuild Britain after the war, powered its digital revolution, and strengthened its health and care systems in times of crisis,” he said. “The Indian diaspora has played a defining role in building the tech superpower Britain is today and continues to contribute across every layer of society.”
The report was formally launched at an event in the House of Lords, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, academics and cultural figures. Its presentation at one of the country’s most prominent political institutions signals growing recognition of the role diaspora communities play in shaping modern Britain.
