According to the latest figures published by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), more than 172,000 Pakistani workers abroad went abroad during the first three months of 2025.
The data reveal that Saudi Arabia has remained the most popular destination, welcoming 121,970 Pakistani workers. Other Gulf countries such as Qatar (12,989), Oman (8,331) and the United Arab Emirates (6,891) also figured.
Outside the Gulf, Pakistani workers have found opportunities in Bahrain (939), Malaysia (775), China (592), Azerbaijan (350), Germany (264), Greece (815), Turkey (870), Italy (109), Japan (108), the United Kingdom (1,454) and the United States (257).
The report also highlights an upward trend in the export of skilled workforce. In total, 1,479 engineers, 849 doctors, 390 nurses and 3,474 technicians were among those who obtained a job abroad. In addition, professions such as cooks (1,689), welders (1,058), electricians (2,130) and teachers (436) experienced high demand.
Among the semi-qualified workers, the drivers (38,274) and the masons (1,859) constituted an important part of the workforce deployed internationally.
Officials claim that the sharp increase in employment abroad reflects growing international confidence in Pakistan’s workforce capacities, especially on the Gulf and European Labor Markets.
