Pakistan ranks 16th globally in outsourcing, beats major economies

Pakistan has ranked 16th worldwide in the Global Outsourcing Talent Index 2026, outperforming 177 countries and placing itself among the top global outsourcing destinations, according to a report compiled by Ataraxis Management.

The index evaluates countries based on talent availability, labour costs, digital infrastructure, and English proficiency, with Pakistan achieving an overall position in the top 8.3% globally. The report highlights the country’s growing role as a technology and services hub despite infrastructure constraints.

Pakistan scored 80 out of 100 on talent availability, ranking eighth globally on this indicator and placing it alongside economies such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and South Korea. The workforce is noted for technical and analytical capabilities, supporting roles including software development, data analysis, and digital marketing.

In terms of cost competitiveness, Pakistan recorded a labour cost score of 97 out of 100, making it one of the most cost-efficient outsourcing destinations globally and slightly ahead of India on this metric. However, the country trails India overall due to weaker digital infrastructure and scalability.

The report notes that Pakistan has a labour force of over 85 million people and more than 6 million professional profiles on LinkedIn, reflecting a large and expanding talent pool. English proficiency stands at 60 out of 100, with higher scores in urban centres such as Islamabad and Lahore.

Digital infrastructure remains a key constraint, with a current score of 30 out of 100. The report states that improving this to 50 could lift Pakistan’s ranking to 11th globally, indicating potential for further advancement.

Pakistan currently has around 45.7% internet penetration, equivalent to approximately 116 million users, with disparities between urban and rural connectivity. The report identifies infrastructure development as the primary factor limiting faster growth in outsourcing competitiveness.