ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s ongoing economic challenges and political turbulence have continued to drive a significant exodus of its skilled and educated workforce.
Data from the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment indicates that in 2024 alone, approximately 700,000 individuals left Pakistan in search of better opportunities, a slight decrease from the 811,000 who emigrated the previous year.
Persistent political instability and economic difficulties have cast a shadow over the nation’s prospects, prompting this substantial migration. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remain the top destinations, issuing the highest number of visas to Pakistani professionals across various sectors.
Deputy Director Abdul Shakoor Soomro noted a rising demand for Pakistani professionals in the United States and Europe as well. The report also highlighted the severe brain drain experienced in 2022, where Pakistan saw the departure of numerous highly qualified professionals including doctors, engineers, and IT experts, marking a 300% increase from previous years.
The brain drain has had a profound impact on Pakistan’s human resource capabilities, with significant numbers of engineers, doctors, nurses, computer experts, accountants, agricultural specialists, and teachers leaving the country, predominantly for the Middle East.
