Islamabad, 16, Apr 2025: Overseas Employment Opportunities for Pakistani citizens have surged, with more than 172,000 individuals departing the country in the first quarter of 2025 to pursue careers abroad, according to official statistics issued by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment.
Between January and March 2025, a total of 172,144 Pakistani workers obtained international job placements.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emerged once again as the leading destination, welcoming 121,190 Pakistani laborers.
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Other Gulf nations also remained key contributors to foreign employment demand: Qatar attracted 12,989, Oman welcomed 8,331, UAE hired 6,891, and Bahrain brought in 939 workers.
Outside the Middle East, Pakistani talent spread across diverse global markets. The United Kingdom employed 1,454, while Turkey (870), Greece (815), Malaysia (775), China (592), Azerbaijan (350), Germany (264), the United States (257), Italy (109), and Japan (108) also hired Pakistani professionals and workers across various sectors.
The majority of these workers 99,139 individuals were classified under the category of general labor, highlighting the demand for manpower in construction, agriculture, and other entry-level roles.
Among the skilled workforce, the breakdown was as follows:
- 38,274 drivers
- 3,474 technical experts
- 2,130 electricians
- 1,859 masons
- 1,689 culinary professionals
- 1,058 welding specialists
In the professional category, Pakistan saw an exodus of 849 doctors, 1,479 engineers, 390 registered nurses, and 436 educators, indicating continued global demand for trained professionals from Pakistan.
Meanwhile, a separate report by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) stated that around 28,000 Pakistanis applied for asylum within the EU+ countries from October 2023 to October 2024.
The application peak occurred in October 2023 with 3,400 submissions, but the number decreased to 1,900 by October 2024, reflecting a downward trend.
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These asylum-related figures are independent of those who migrate through unofficial or irregular channels.
Many still rely on illegal human smuggling networks to access Europe, risking their lives in pursuit of work and safety.
This surge clearly indicates the growing demand and interest in Overseas Employment Opportunities, as Pakistan’s workforce continues to look abroad for better wages, security, and career growth.
