Indian-Americans, now a five million-strong community, have emerged as one of the most influential immigrant groups in the US. Despite accounting for just 1.5% of the US population, the community contributes to various sectors such as business, education, culture and public service, according to a recent report by non-profit organisation Indiaspora.

“Indian-Americans constitute only 1.5% of the US population, yet they make a huge and positive impact on various aspects of American society,” MR Rangaswamy, founder of Indiaspora, said, as reported by PTI.

The study, “Indiaspora Impact Report: Small Community, Big Contribution,” conducted by the Boston Consulting Group, is the first in a series highlighting the impact of Indian immigrants on U.S. public service, business, culture and innovation.

The report details how Indian-Americans have built major companies, significantly expanded the tax base, and played a vital role in US economic growth.

Indian-Americans 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 revenues of nearly a trillion dollars.

Apart from large companies, Indian-Americans also have a strong presence in the startup ecosystem, co-founding 72 of the 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.

The report said that nearly 60% of the hotels in the United States are owned by Indian-Americans.

The financial contribution of Indian Americans is significant, as the community is estimated to pay approximately 5–6% of total income taxes, or $250 billion to $300 billion.

Additionally, their businesses indirectly create 11–12 million American jobs.

Indian-Americans in science and academia

Contributions to the academic world are equally impressive.

Between 1975 and 2019, the share of patents held by Indian-origin innovators in the US increased from 2% to 10%.

In 2023, Indian-origin scientists will receive nearly 11% of all National Institutes of Health grants and contribute 13% of scientific publications.

Influential figures such as immunotherapy pioneer Naveen Varadarajan and former National Science Foundation director Subra Suresh have driven unprecedented advances in healthcare, the report said.

Indian-Americans make up about 2.6% of full-time professorships at US colleges and universities, including prominent 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 have culturally influenced the American landscape

Culturally, Indian-Americans have significantly shaped the American landscape.

Michelin-starred chefs like Vikas Khanna and Maneet Chauhan have brought Indian cuisine to the mainstream in America, while health practices promoted by celebrities like Deepak Chopra have popularized Ayurveda and holistic health.

Yoga, introduced by Swami Vivekananda, has become an integral part of the American health routine, and by 2023, about 10% of Americans will practice it.

Indian festivals such as Diwali and Holi are now widely celebrated in the United States, and Bollywood’s influence is also growing, with stars such as Priyanka Chopra Jonas successfully breaking into Hollywood.

In fashion, traditional elements such as mehndi and lehenga (a form of ankle-length skirt) are becoming mainstream, and designers such as Falguni and Shane Peacock are showcasing their work at New York Fashion Week, according to the report.

The Indian diaspora also figures prominently in literature, with authors such as Jhumpa Lahiri and Abraham Verghese providing profound insights into the Indian-American experience.

As philanthropic works, organizations such as the American India Foundation and the Desai Foundation have raised substantial funds to improve the lives of people in both the US and India.

Indian-Americans are increasingly visible in politics, with more than 150 holding key positions in the federal administration by 2023, up from 60 in 2013. These include Vice President Kamala Harris, who made history She is the first woman, first African American, and first South Asian American to hold the position.