The immigration of workers from Pakistan to various countries decreased to 0.727 million (727,381) in 2024, which is less than 15 percent (135,244) of the preceding year 2023 when 862,625 workers of different skills and trades migrated abroad, according to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE). More than 62 percent (452,562 workers) migrated to Saudi Arabia in 2024. Oman became the second major destination, receiving 81,587 workers, replacing the UAE, which attracted 64,130 professionals. Qatar and Bahrain received 40,818 and 25,198 Pakistani workers, respectively.
These countries facilitated the hiring process by establishing centers to assist with visa policies and job placements. Additionally, 13,695 professionals moved to the UK, while 1,077 migrated to the USA. Most of the emigrants work in blue-collar jobs, including laborers (364,574) and drivers (185,209), which together account for over 75% of manpower exports. Furthermore, 3,642 doctors and 8,018 engineers left Pakistan seeking better opportunities.
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In Europe and other countries, registration with the BEOE is not mandatory for immigration or employment, leading many to bypass official channels by applying directly through private agents, recruitment agencies, or personal networks. Consequently, the official data does not include such individuals, nor does it account for undocumented workers living abroad illegally or overstaying their visas. Many individuals travel on tourist visas and subsequently settle or work without proper documentation, further underestimating the emigration scale.
The actual number of emigrants may be higher due to hiring restrictions imposed by countries like the UAE and other Middle Eastern nations in 2024. These restrictions, driven by economic challenges, fluctuating oil prices, and local workforce priorities, impacted migration to the Gulf region, a traditional hub for Pakistani labor. Conversely, migration to Europe and North America has increased, as skilled professionals and students seek higher salaries, better living standards, and stable economies, but many bypass BEOE registration, evading inclusion in the official data.
Remittance inflows have significantly improved, projected to reach $35 billion by year-end. Contributing factors include worker migration, currency stability, banking incentives, and technological solutions. The lack of comprehensive data on undocumented workers and those bypassing official channels poses challenges in accurately assessing Pakistan’s emigration scale and its contribution to the economy through remittances.
