- Monday, May 05, 2025
By: Vibhuti Pathak
A recent report has revealed that Indian Americans lead all Asian American communities in income and education levels, establishing themselves as the most economically successful and academically accomplished ethnic group in the United States. The report, cited by The Hindu, notes that Indian American households boast a median annual income of $151,200, surpassing those of Chinese and Japanese Americans by approximately 40 per cent.
These numbers reflect the broader upward trajectory of the Asian American population in the US, which has experienced substantial growth over the past two decades. From just over 11 million in 2000, the Asian population in the US had grown to nearly 25 million by 2013, and by 2023, Asians made up 7.4 per cent of the total US population, up from 4.2 per cent in 2000.
Among the various Asian subgroups, Chinese Americans constitute the largest portion at 22 per cent, followed closely by Indian Americans at 21 per cent and Filipino Americans at 19 per cent. Vietnamese Americans make up 9 per cent, Korean Americans account for 8 per cent, Japanese Americans for 7 per cent, and Pakistani Americans represent 3 per cent of the US Asian population.
The report also sheds light on immigration patterns within the Asian American community. While the Asian American population has grown, the percentage of immigrants within these communities has been on a decline. In 2000, 63 per cent of Asian Americans were foreign-born. By 2023, that number had dropped to 54 per cent. For Indian Americans, the share of immigrants declined from 72 per cent, suggesting a growing second-generation population born and raised in the United States.
When it comes to educational attainment, Indian Americans continue to excel. According to the findings, 77 per cent of Indian Americans hold at least a bachelor’s degree, placing them just behind Taiwanese Americans, 83 per cent of whom possess the same level of education. Other groups, such as Bhutanese, Burmese, Laotian, and Cambodian Americans, recorded some of the lowest education levels, which correlate with lower income levels as well.
The report highlights a striking correlation between education and income within Asian communities. Despite 69 per cent of Mongolian Americans holding a bachelor’s degree or higher—the third highest among Asian groups—their median household income was significantly lower, at just $54,300, illustrating that education alone doesn’t always guarantee economic parity.
In contrast, Indian Americans not only dominate in educational qualifications but also translate those degrees into higher earning potential, holding high-paying jobs in sectors like technology, finance, and healthcare. The community’s achievements underscore the strong link between educational attainment, immigration history, and economic success in shaping the Asian American experience in the United States.
As demographics shift and second-generation Indian Americans grow into leadership roles, experts believe the community’s influence in U.S. society will continue to expand, both economically and culturally.
