ISLAMABAD: More than 172,000 Pakistanis left the country in search of employment during the first three months of 2025, according to figures released by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment.
The data revealed that 172,144 individuals secured overseas employment between January and March this year.
Saudi Arabia continued to be the most popular destination, attracting 121,190 workers. Other Gulf nations also drew significant numbers: Qatar (12,989), Oman (8,331), UAE (6,891), and Bahrain (939).
Beyond the Gulf, Pakistani workers also headed to a range of other countries, including the United Kingdom (1,454), Turkiye (870), Greece (815), Malaysia (775), China (592), Azerbaijan (350), Germany (264), the United States (257), Italy (109), and Japan (108).
A large portion of the workforce — 99,139 individuals — was registered as general labourers.
Among the skilled workers, the breakdown included:
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38,274 drivers
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3,474 technicians
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2,130 electricians
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1,859 masons
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1,689 cooks
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1,058 welders
In terms of professionals, 849 doctors, 1,479 engineers, 390 nurses, and 436 teachers also moved abroad for jobs during the first quarter.
Meanwhile, 28,000 Pakistani nationals applied for international protection in the EU+ region between October 2023 and October 2024, according to the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). Applications peaked at 3,400 in October 2023, but fell to 1,900 by October 2024, reflecting a declining trend.
These numbers are separate from those using irregular migration routes, as many Pakistanis continue to rely on human smuggling networks to reach Europe, particularly in search of asylum or undocumented work opportunities.
