In 2023, more than 860,000 Pakistanis traveled abroad for work, marking the highest number since 2015, as reported by the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment. This shows a significant increase from the 2022 figure of 832,339 people.
The workforce seeking opportunities abroad includes 385,892 laborers and 196,575 drivers, indicating a focus on manual and transportation-related jobs. Professionals like engineers, accountants, doctors, and teachers also joined this migration, totaling 8,741, 7,390, 3,486, and 1,533, respectively.
Breaking down skills, 22,760 highly qualified and 45,687 highly skilled individuals are part of this group, demonstrating a wide range of expertise leaving the country. The data also reveals 314,932 skilled workers, 86,593 semi-skilled individuals, and a majority of 392,653 unskilled workers seeking opportunities abroad.
Saudi Arabia is the top destination, attracting 426,951 workers, followed by the United Arab Emirates with 229,894 individuals. Other notable countries include Qatar (55,112), Oman (60,046), Malaysia (20,905), Bahrain (13,345), Greece (2,914), Romania (4,947), and Iraq (4,307).
