Over 762,000 Pakistanis Migrated Abroad in 2025

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk)-  More than 762,000 Pakistanis, including 18,352 highly educated professionals, moved abroad for employment opportunities in 2025, according to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment.

This figure represents a slight increase from 2024, when 727,381 Pakistanis migrated for work, reflecting a continuing trend of outward migration as workers seek better economic prospects.

The report shows that Pakistani workers joined a wide range of professions overseas. In 2025, 5,659 accountants, 10,503 chefs, 3,795 doctors, and 5,946 engineers found employment abroad. In addition, 1,640 nurses, 1,725 teachers, and 163,718 drivers also migrated.

Thousands of skilled and semi-skilled laborers sought overseas opportunities as well. The report shows 465,138 laborers, 5,700 masons, 12,703 technicians, and 11,777 managers left Pakistan, along with 2,306 plumbers and 2,027 waiters, highlighting the strong demand for Pakistani manpower across multiple sectors.

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Breaking down the migration by skill level, the report states that 18,352 highly educated individuals, 13,657 highly skilled workers, and 222,171 skilled professionals moved abroad in 2025. Meanwhile, 42,257 semi-skilled workers and 466,062 unskilled laborers also sought jobs overseas.

The Gulf region attracted the largest number of Pakistani workers. Saudi Arabia received 530,256 migrants, followed by Qatar (68,376), United Arab Emirates (52,664), Bahrain (37,726), and Kuwait (6,590).

Other countries also saw Pakistani workers arriving. The report notes that 1,005 moved to the United States, 4,355 to the United Kingdom, 984 to Germany, 2,230 to China, 2,210 to Japan, 1,109 to Romania, and 39 to South Korea.

The report highlights Pakistan’s growing role as a labor-exporting country, while signaling concern over the continued migration of skilled and highly educated professionals amid domestic economic challenges.