Islamabad (HRNW) — The trend of Pakistanis seeking employment opportunities abroad continues, with official figures showing a significant number of workers registering for overseas employment.
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, a total of 755,660 Pakistani workers were registered for employment abroad during 2024.
The official data shows that 366,092 unskilled, 255,706 skilled and 56,562 semi-skilled Pakistani workers were registered for overseas employment during the year, alongside workers in professional and highly skilled categories.
Provincially, 404,345 workers from Punjab, 187,103 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 60,424 from Sindh were registered for overseas employment in 2024.
The figures reflect the continued movement of Pakistani workers abroad in search of better income and employment opportunities. Overseas employment contributes to the country through workers’ remittances, while the continued movement of young and skilled workers also has implications for Pakistan’s domestic labour market and human-resource capacity.
The government has identified skills development, vocational training and certification as important areas for improving the employability of Pakistani workers in international labour markets and promoting safer and more organised migration.
Human Angle
For many Pakistani families, overseas employment can provide improved income, financial stability and access to better economic opportunities. At the national level, remittances are an important source of foreign exchange. At the same time, the continued departure of skilled and young workers raises questions about the availability of trained human resources and employment opportunities within Pakistan.
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Important Note / Disclaimer: This report is based on the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25 and available official statistics. Figures from different periods should be compared carefully, taking into account the relevant reporting period and registration methodology.
