Islamabad — Report by M.Saleem According to the latest statistics released by the Bureau of Emigration, 762,499 Pakistani citizens went abroad in search of employment during 2025, marking a notable increase compared to the previous year. In 2024, this number stood at 727,381, meaning approximately 35,000 additional Pakistanis left the country in pursuit of jobs in 2025.

A concerning aspect highlighted in the bureau’s report is that 18,352 highly educated individuals also left the country, including 3,795 doctors, 5,946 engineers, 5,659 accountants, 1,640 nurses, and 1,725 teachers.

According to the documents, those who went abroad included 465,138 laborers, 163,718 drivers, 12,703 technicians, 11,777 managers, 10,503 cooks, 6,475 electricians, 5,700 masons, 2,306 plumbers, and 2,027 waiters.

Based on skill level, 466,062 unskilled workers left the country, while 222,171 skilled, 42,257 semi-skilled, and 13,657 highly skilled individuals migrated abroad.

Saudi Arabia remained the most popular destination with 530,256 Pakistanis heading there. Other Gulf countries included the UAE with 52,664, Qatar with 68,376, Bahrain with 37,726, and Kuwait with 6,590 Pakistani migrants.

Among Western countries, the UK attracted 4,355 Pakistanis, while the USA received 1,005, Germany 984, and Italy 813 Pakistani workers. Asian countries included China with 2,230, Japan with 2,210, Romania with 1,109, and South Korea with only 39 Pakistani citizens.

These statistics reflect the lack of employment opportunities in the country and the growing migration of youth in search of a better future.