By Mallu Metro World Desk | June 2026
While the Gulf remains the primary destination for Kerala’s workforce, the Malayali diaspora has diversified dramatically over the past decade. Significant communities now thrive in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Singapore, each with distinct characteristics shaped by their host country’s immigration patterns and employment markets.
United Kingdom: The NHS remains the primary draw, with an estimated 50,000 Malayali nurses and healthcare workers across the UK. Community organisations in London, Birmingham, and Manchester run active cultural programmes, Onam celebrations, and weekend Malayalam schools for second-generation children.
United States: Concentrated in the New York-New Jersey corridor, Texas, and California, the American Malayali community is increasingly professional-class, with strong representation in technology, medicine, and academic research. FOMAA (Federation of Malayalee Associations of the Americas) coordinates community activities across 80+ local organisations.
Australia: The fastest-growing Malayali diaspora, centred in Melbourne and Sydney. Skilled migration pathways in healthcare, IT, and engineering have driven growth, with the community estimated at 150,000 and rising. The Australian Malayali community is notably younger than its Gulf counterpart.
This growing global footprint strengthens Kerala’s soft power and economic connections. Community organisations worldwide are increasingly coordinating on issues like heritage language preservation, cultural exchange, and investment in Kerala’s development.