Freelancers Drive $400 Million in Remittances as Pakistan Expands Digital Economy
Pakistan’s freelance economy continues to grow, contributing $400 million in foreign exchange earnings through remittances during the outgoing fiscal year, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25 released by the federal government ahead of Budget 2025-26.
This marks an increase from FY2023-24, when freelancers generated $350.15 million in foreign exchange. The survey underscores the expanding impact of Pakistan’s digital and freelance economy on the country’s external account, supported by increasing focus on tech startups, online work opportunities, and digital skills development.
As part of the “Prime Minister’s Initiatives – Support for IT Startups, Specialized IT Training, and Venture Capital (Component-2),” the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) has launched a major plan under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to set up 250 e-Rozgaar centers nationwide by FY2027. These centers aim to boost freelance employment and entrepreneurship, with the target of creating 20,000 new jobs. By the end of FY2025, 50 of these centers are expected to be fully operational.
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In parallel, the National Incubation Centers (NICs) are playing a vital role in the startup ecosystem. So far, NICs have supported over 1,900 startups, with more than 960 successfully graduating. These startups have collectively created over 185,000 jobs, attracted Rs. 30.8 billion in investment, and generated revenues exceeding Rs. 27.3 billion. The initiative has also empowered more than 12,000 women entrepreneurs.
The DigiSkills.pk program is also making a significant impact by providing digital and freelance training across the country. To date, it has conducted over 4.55 million training sessions, with male participation at 72% and female at 28%. Over 50,000 overseas Pakistanis have benefited from the program as well. DigiSkills-trained freelancers have collectively earned $1.65 billion in foreign income through December 2024.
