Pakistan ranks 16th globally in outsourcing talent index: Shaza Fatima

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Saturday announced that Pakistan has achieved a significant milestone in the global technology and outsourcing sector, ranking 16th out of 193 countries in the 2026 Global Outsourcing Talent Index compiled by Ataraxis.

Speaking on the development, the minister said Pakistan now stands among the top nine per cent of countries worldwide in terms of outsourcing talent competitiveness, reflecting strong growth in the country’s digital workforce and technology ecosystem.

She said Pakistan has outperformed several regional and global economies in the index, including China, which ranked 37th, Vietnam at 32nd, and Colombia at 31st. According to her statement, Pakistan has also surpassed a number of Western European countries such as Germany (84th), France (73rd), Spain (49th), and the United Kingdom (29th).

The minister further noted that Pakistan has secured a talent score of 80 out of 100, placing it 8th globally on that specific metric, which evaluates workforce capability, adaptability, and outsourcing potential.

She added that Pakistan’s ranking is higher than all European Union member states included in the index, as well as countries in the Middle East and every African nation assessed in the report.

Highlighting the country’s progress, Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan’s tech and outsourcing sector is growing at an average rate of nearly 20 per cent annually, which she described as strong evidence of the strength and resilience of the national technology ecosystem.

Officials believe the improvement reflects increasing global confidence in Pakistan’s skilled workforce, particularly in IT services, software development, and digital outsourcing industries, which have become key drivers of export earnings in recent years.

The government has been focusing on expanding digital infrastructure, promoting IT exports, and supporting freelancers and tech startups as part of broader economic transformation efforts.

The latest ranking is expected to further boost Pakistan’s positioning as an emerging hub for global outsourcing services, particularly at a time when international companies are diversifying their tech talent bases beyond traditional markets.