ISLAMABAD – More than 762,000 Pakistanis, including 18,352 being highly educated individuals, went abroad in search of employment opportunities in 2025, according to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment’s latest report.
This marks a slight increase from the previous year, as 727,381 Pakistanis migrated for jobs in 2024.
The data revealed a wide range of professions among those leaving the country. In 2025, 5,659 accountants, 10,503 chefs, 3,795 doctors, and 5,946 engineers were among the categories of workers who took jobs abroad.
Additionally, 1,640 nurses, 1,725 teachers, and 163,718 drivers also joined the wave of migration.
The report also showed significant numbers of skilled laborers seeking employment overseas, with 465,138 laborers, 5,700 masons, 12,703 technicians, and 11,777 managers heading abroad. In addition, 2,306 plumbers, 2,027 waiters, and many other workers made the move for better job prospects.
A detailed breakdown of education and skill levels reveals that 18,352 highly educated individuals, 13,657 highly skilled workers, and 222,171 skilled professionals left Pakistan in 2025. Meanwhile, 42,257 semi-skilled workers and 466,062 unskilled laborers also migrated for employment.
Countries in the Gulf region continue to be popular destinations for Pakistani workers, with 530,256 going to Saudi Arabia, 52,664 to the UAE, and 68,376 to Qatar.
Other key destinations included Bahrain (37,726), Kuwait (6,590), and South Korea (39). European and North American destinations also saw migration, with 1,005 Pakistanis moving to the US, 4,355 to the UK, and 984 to Germany.
Additionally, 2,230 Pakistanis found jobs in China, 2,210 in Japan, and 1,109 in Romania. The report underscores the growing global demand for Pakistani workers across various sectors, from skilled labor to highly specialized professions.
