Over 172,000 Pakistanis Seek Employment Abroad Amidst Domestic Struggles

Synopsis

In the first quarter of 2025, over 172,000 Pakistanis have sought overseas employment due to dire economic conditions at home. The majority have targeted Saudi Arabia, followed by Oman and the UAE, with a significant portion being skilled professionals. The trend reflects a growing urgency for better opportunities outside Pakistan.

Key Takeaways

Over 172,000 Pakistanis sought jobs abroad in early 2025.
Saudi Arabia is the most popular destination for employment.
A significant number of applicants are skilled professionals.
Illegal migration attempts are also on the rise.
Asylum applications from Pakistanis in the EU have surged.

Islamabad, April 15 (NationPress) More than 172,144 Pakistanis have embarked on journeys for foreign job opportunities in the first quarter of 2025, driven by ongoing uncertainty, persistent job losses, soaring inflation, and a lack of employment prospects back home.

The Bureau of Immigration in Pakistan disclosed these concerning statistics on Tuesday regarding individuals who have pursued job opportunities internationally during the initial three months of 2025.

Details reveal that the majority of applicants have chosen Saudi Arabia as their primary destination, with a staggering 121,190 job seekers heading there. Oman follows with 8,331 Pakistanis looking for work, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks third with 6,891 employment seekers.

Other notable destinations include Qatar with 12,989 seekers and Bahrain with approximately 939 job applicants. Additionally, applications have been submitted for the United Kingdom (1,454), Turkey (870), Greece (815), Malaysia (775), China (592), Azerbaijan (350), Germany (264), US (257), Italy (109), and Japan (108).

Further analysis shows that most of the job seekers are categorized as general laborers, including 38,274 drivers, 1,859 masons, 2,130 electricians, 1,689 cooks, 3,474 technicians, and around 1,058 welders.

The emigration of professionals from Pakistan has also seen notable figures. Current statistics indicate that overseas employment seekers comprise 849 doctors, 1,479 engineers, 390 nurses, and at least 436 teachers who have found jobs in various foreign nations thus far in 2025.

Interestingly, data from 2023 and 2024 has shown an increase in asylum applications from Pakistanis. Reports from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reveal that around 28,000 Pakistanis applied for asylum within the EU from October 2023 to October 2024.

While these figures reflect only those who pursue legitimate channels, a significant number of individuals also resort to illegal methods involving human trafficking and smuggling networks to reach Western and European nations.