Over 0.630 million Pakistanis go abroad seeking employment

Islamabad: In the first nine months of 2023, a staggering 633,108 Pakistani individuals have embarked on a quest for better employment opportunities overseas, according to a report by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment. This significant migration trend reflects the ongoing pursuit of global employment opportunities by a substantial portion of the Pakistani workforce.

The data reveals that as of July, the number of Pakistanis leaving the country for overseas employment stood at 540,282. In September alone, more than 92,000 Pakistanis pursued opportunities abroad.

Breaking down the figures, the majority of those seeking employment abroad were laborers, accounting for 275,433 individuals. There were also 141,282 drivers, 6,351 engineers, 5,876 accountants, 2,580 doctors, and 1,194 teachers among the departing workforce.

Furthermore, 17,058 of these individuals held higher education qualifications, 35,414 possessed exceptional skills, 232,933 were skilled workers, and 65,922 had moderate skills, with the majority, 281,781, falling into the unskilled category.

Saudi Arabia emerged as a major destination for Pakistani workers, with 302,634 individuals seeking opportunities there. The United Arab Emirates followed closely with 173,561, while Oman and Qatar attracted 44,567 and 44,777 individuals, respectively.

Interestingly, a significant number of Pakistanis also chose to relocate to other countries in pursuit of employment opportunities. Malaysia saw 18,609 Pakistani workers, while Bahrain welcomed 9,599. Romania, Greece, and Iraq also featured on the list, with 4,405, 2,676, and 2,646 individuals heading there, respectively.

This data underscores the determination and resilience of Pakistani workers in their quest for better job prospects and improved living standards, as they explore opportunities in countries near and far.