According to a recent report by Pulse Consultant, approximately 10 million Pakistanis have left the country over the past 17 years in search of better opportunities abroad. The report, titled “An Overview of Pakistani Emigration Patterns,” highlights a significant migration trend, with the highest number of emigrants recorded during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) government from 2013 to 2018.
The peak of this migration wave occurred in 2015, when over 900,000 individuals left Pakistan seeking employment. However, by 2018, the number of emigrants dropped dramatically by 60%, with only about 300,000 people moving abroad for work. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further influenced migration patterns. As pandemic restrictions eased in 2022, the number of emigrants surged to approximately 800,000 in both 2022 and 2023.
A notable shift in the profile of those emigrating has been observed. The proportion of highly skilled individuals leaving Pakistan has increased from 2% to 5% since 2022. Despite this, the majority of recent emigrants have been blue-collar workers, with 46% being unskilled laborers, up from 41% during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.
Migration destinations have also shifted significantly. Traditionally, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Qatar were the leading destinations for Pakistani workers. However, post-COVID trends indicate a decline in Pakistani workers in the UAE and a notable increase in those moving to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the UK, Iraq, and Romania have emerged as increasingly popular destinations for Pakistani emigrants in the post-pandemic era.
This mass exodus raises concerns about the brain drain and its potential impact on Pakistan’s economy and workforce. The report underscores the ongoing challenge for Pakistan in addressing the factors driving such high levels of emigration and the broader implications for the country’s development and labor market.
