In the first nine months of 2023, there has been a significant increase in the number of Pakistanis leaving the country to seek job opportunities abroad. A total of 633,108 Pakistanis registered for overseas employment during this period, up from 540,282 until July. This indicates a sudden surge of more than 92,000 Pakistanis leaving the country in just one month to pursue employment opportunities in other nations.
The departing group of Pakistanis includes a diverse range of professionals, with 275,433 laborers, 141,282 drivers, 6,351 engineers, 5,876 accountants, 2,580 doctors, and 1,194 teachers among them. This diversity highlights that individuals from various professions and skill levels are seeking job opportunities overseas. Many of these workers are seeking better prospects in the Gulf countries, Europe, and other parts of the world, where they believe their skills and labor will be more highly compensated.
The data from the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment breaks down the departing workforce into different categories, including 17,058 highly qualified individuals, 35,414 highly skilled workers, 232,933 skilled laborers, 65,922 semi-skilled workers, and the majority, 281,781 individuals, classified as unskilled. While skilled professionals continue to seek opportunities abroad, the trend shows a large number of unskilled and semi-skilled workers opting for employment in industries that require manual labor. This exodus reflects the growing unemployment crisis in Pakistan, pushing many to look for better job opportunities in foreign markets.
This increase in outmigration is largely attributed to the worsening economic conditions in Pakistan, including rising inflation, limited job opportunities, and the challenges faced by the youth in securing stable employment within the country. The surge in Pakistanis leaving for overseas employment signals the urgent need for structural reforms within the country’s labor market and economy to retain local talent. Many young graduates are particularly frustrated by the lack of opportunities, with university degrees often not translating into jobs. Moreover, the Pakistani government’s inability to address the growing economic crisis, coupled with the rising cost of living, has driven more people to seek opportunities abroad. While remittances from these overseas workers remain an important source of income for the country, the outflow of skilled and unskilled workers presents long-term challenges for Pakistan’s workforce development and economic stability.
