Surprising shift seen in number of Pakistanis going abroad for work in 2025

WEB DESK: A recent report has revealed a surprising shift in the number of Pakistanis seeking employment abroad this year. According to data from the Protectorate of Emigrants, a noticeable decline has been recorded in the number of people leaving the country for work purposes.

In 2025, a total of 686,292 Pakistanis sought employment abroad, down from 727,391 last year, marking a decrease of over 41,000 individuals. The data covers the first 11 months of 2025, suggesting a clear trend in outbound migration for work.

The breakdown shows that Sindh, including Karachi, accounted for a significant portion of the workforce migrating abroad, with 52,449 people departing for job opportunities.

While the overall number of people going abroad for work has dropped, the destinations of choice for Pakistani workers remain largely unchanged. Saudi Arabia continues to be the most popular destination, retaining its position as the top choice for Pakistani emigrants seeking work. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) follows closely in second place, with Qatar ranking third, Bahrain fourth, and Kuwait in fifth.

Experts suggest that the decline in numbers could be attributed to a variety of factors, including changes in global labor markets, evolving visa policies, and perhaps domestic factors that have reduced the urgency to seek work abroad. However, the trend still underscores the enduring preference for these Gulf countries as primary destinations for Pakistani workers.

The Protectorate of Emigrants has not yet commented on the causes behind the drop, but the figures indicate a potential shift in migration patterns that may have implications for both the Pakistani labor market and the economies of these host countries.

As the year progresses, it remains to be seen whether this decrease will continue or if the numbers will recover in the coming months.