Between 2019 and August 2024, over 3.27 million Pakistanis—accounting for roughly 1.3% of the nation’s population—went abroad for employment through official government channels, according to the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD).
The data reveals that the majority of these workers secured jobs in Saudi Arabia, with more than 1.8 million going to the kingdom. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the second most popular destination, with over 700,000 Pakistanis finding employment there.
Oman also attracted a notable number of Pakistani workers, with more than 260,000 heading to the country for job opportunities. However, some inaccuracies were found in the data, such as an erroneous report that 50 workers were sent to Pakistan for employment, which was evidently incorrect. These statistics were disclosed in response to a question raised during a Senate session.
The high number of Pakistanis seeking employment abroad underscores the significance of overseas jobs for the country, not only in providing opportunities for individuals but also in contributing to remittances, which are a vital source of income for many families and the national economy.
While the government continues to support this migration process, there remains a need for improvement in data accuracy and the overall efficiency of employment programs.
