Have you ever wondered why Indian immigrants are so successful in the US and other countries? They have achieved remarkable feats in various fields, such as technology, science, medicine, business, education and entertainment. But what are the secrets behind their success? How do they overcome the challenges of adapting to a new culture and environment? And how do they raise their children to follow their footsteps?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were about 4.6 million Indian immigrants in the United States in 2019, making them the second-largest immigrant group after Mexicans and ahead of Chinese and Filipinos. Indian immigrants are also highly educated, with 43% holding a postgraduate degree, compared to 24% of all Asian immigrants and 13% of all Americans. They also have higher incomes, with a median household income of $136,000 in 2019, more than double the national median of $62,000. Moreover, only 6% of Indian immigrants lived in poverty in 2019, less than half the rate for all Americans (13%) and all Asian immigrants (10%).
In this article, we will share 10 reasons why Indian immigrants are rich and raise successful children, based on their amazing stories, values and practices.
1. Education
The first reason why Indian immigrants are rich and raise successful children is that they value education more than anything else. They invest in their own and their children’s learning, and they encourage them to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields. They are among the most educated groups in the US, with 43% holding a postgraduate degree, compared to 24% of all Asian immigrants and 13% of all Americans. They also have the highest median annual household income of any Asian American group, at $100,000. Education is the key to their success and social mobility.
2. Work Ethic
The second reason why Indian immigrants are rich and raise successful children is that they have a strong work ethic and a drive to achieve their goals. They come from humble backgrounds and face hardships and challenges in their journey to America. But they don’t let that stop them. They work hard to overcome these obstacles and pursue their dreams. They also have a sense of ambition and aspiration that pushes them to excel in their chosen fields. They have made remarkable contributions to the US and the world in various fields, such as technology, science, business, medicine, education and entertainment. They are the leaders, innovators and trailblazers of the world
3. Rich Culture
The third reason why Indian immigrants are rich and raise successful children is that they have a rich and diverse culture that they bring with them to their new home. According to the latest 2023 statistic, India is the most populous country in the world with over 700 recognized ethnic groups. They come from different regions, languages, religions and traditions, and they have a wealth of knowledge and experience. They also have a flair for art, music, literature and cuisine, which enriches the American cultural landscape. They have been at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship in various sectors, such as technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and entertainment. They have a unique and creative perspective that sets them apart from the rest. Some examples of innovative Indian immigrants are Vinod Khosla, the co-founder of Sun Microsystems; Gururaj Deshpande, the co-founder of Sycamore Networks; Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder of Biocon; and M. Night Shyamalan, the director of The Sixth Sense and other movies. This rich culture coupled with diversity brings about creativity and innovativeness.
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4. Community and Solidarity
While I was doing research for this article I asked a friend why India Immigrants thrive and he straight up told me, “Indian Immigrants live like a family. They support each other a lot unlike most of other immigrants.”
Indian immigrants often form networks and associations based on their region, religion, profession or interest, and they help each other with various aspects of life, such as finding jobs, housing, education and health care. They also participate in social and cultural events that celebrate their heritage and identity. Indian immigrants also contribute to the wider society through philanthropy, volunteerism and civic engagement. They support causes and organizations that benefit both their native and adopted countries, such as education, health, environment and human rights. Some examples of philanthropic Indian immigrants are Romesh Wadhwani, the founder of Wadhwani Foundation; Ratan Tata, the chairman emeritus of Tata Group; Azim Premji, the founder of Wipro; and Priscilla Chan, the co-founder of Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
5. Passion For Excellence And Willingness To Learn
Indian immigrants are always striving to improve themselves and their performance, and they seek feedback and guidance from mentors and peers. They also have a curiosity and openness to new ideas and perspectives, and they learn from different cultures and disciplines. They are not afraid to take risks and experiment with new approaches and solutions. They also have a humility and respect for others, and they acknowledge their mistakes and failures. Some examples of excellent and humble Indian immigrants are Narayana Murthy, the co-founder of Infosys; Subra Suresh, the president of Nanyang Technological University; Padmasree Warrior, the former chief technology officer of Cisco Systems; and Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft.
6. Entrepreneurship Spirit
The sixth reason why they are successful in the US is that they have a spirit of entrepreneurship and a knack for finding niches in the market. Indians usually have a strong sense of initiative and innovation, and they are always looking for opportunities to create value and solve problems. They also have a vision and a strategy to turn their ideas into reality, and they are able to mobilize resources and partners to achieve their goals. They also have a resilience and perseverance to overcome challenges and setbacks, and they are able to adapt and pivot when needed. They also have a keen sense of customer needs and preferences, and they are able to tailor their products and services to different segments and niches. Some examples of entrepreneurial Indian immigrants are Vinod Dham, the father of the Pentium chip; Sabeer Bhatia, the co-founder of Hotmail; Jay Shetty, the motivational speaker and podcaster; and Kamala Harris, the vice president of the United States.
7. Financial Literacy and Planning
A seventh reason why Indian immigrants are successful in the US is that they have a high level of financial literacy and planning. Indian immigrants are well-informed about financial concepts and instruments, and they make smart decisions about saving, investing, borrowing and spending. They also plan ahead for their future goals and needs, such as retirement, education, health and emergencies. They also use various financial products and services to manage their finances, such as bank accounts, insurance policies, mutual funds and stocks. According to a study by Agarwal et al. (2010), Indian immigrants scored the highest among different ethnic groups on three standard questions measuring financial literacy. They also found that financial literacy was positively associated with financial planning behavior among Indian immigrants. Another study by Lusardi et al. (2010) found that Indian immigrants had the highest rate of retirement planning among different immigrant groups in the US
FAQS ON INDIAN IMMIGRANTS
Q: What is the income of Indian immigrants compared to other ethnic groups in America? A: Indian immigrants have the highest income of any ethnic group in America, with an average income of $120,000.
Q: What is the education level of Indian immigrants? A: Indian immigrants have the highest percentage of bachelor’s degrees of any ethnic group in the United States. Moreover, they are more likely to pursue higher education than any other group.
Q: Why do Indian immigrants prefer majors in STEM fields? A: Indian immigrants prefer majors in STEM fields because they have a higher earning potential than other fields.
Q: Are Indian immigrants good at financial planning? A: Yes, Indian immigrants are known for their financial planning skills. They are good at managing their money and making smart investments.
Q: How do Indian immigrants navigate challenges such as discrimination and cultural differences? A: Indian immigrants often have a strong sense of resilience and perseverance, which helps them to overcome challenges and achieve success. They also often rely on their close-knit communities for support and guidance.
- Q: How many Indian immigrants are there in the United States?
- A: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were about 4.6 million Indian immigrants in the United States in 2019, making them the second-largest immigrant group after Mexicans and ahead of Chinese and Filipinos.
- Q: What are the main reasons for Indian immigration to the United States?
- A: The main reasons for Indian immigration to the United States are education, employment, family reunification and diversity. Many Indian immigrants come to the United States as international students, highly skilled workers, spouses or relatives of U.S. citizens or permanent residents, or winners of the diversity visa lottery
- Q: What are the main characteristics of Indian immigrants in the United States?
- A: Indian immigrants are notable for their high levels of education, income and professional achievement. Compared with both the overall U.S.- and foreign-born populations, Indian immigrants are more likely to have a college degree, work in management positions, and earn higher incomes. They are also active in various fields, such as technology, science, medicine, business, education and entertainment
- Q: What are the main challenges faced by Indian immigrants in the United States?
- A: Some of the main challenges faced by Indian immigrants in the United States are discrimination, assimilation, integration and identity. Some Indian immigrants may encounter prejudice, stereotypes or hate crimes based on their race, ethnicity, religion or accent. Some may also struggle to balance their cultural heritage and values with the expectations and norms of American society. Some may also face difficulties in finding a sense of belonging and community in a diverse and complex country
- Q: What are the main visa requirements for Indian nationals who want to visit or immigrate to the United States?
- A: The main visa requirements for Indian nationals who want to visit or immigrate to the United States depend on the purpose and duration of their stay. Generally, Indian nationals need a valid passport and a visa issued by a U.S. consulate or embassy in India. There are different types of visas for different categories of travelers or immigrants, such as tourist visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F-1/M-1), work visas (H-1B/L-1/O-1), family visas (K-1/F-2), diversity visas (DV) and immigrant visas (IR/CR). Each visa type has its own eligibility criteria, application process, fees and validity period.
