A total of 278,563 Pakistanis registered for overseas employment during the first five months of 2026, with labourers and drivers accounting for the majority of job seekers heading abroad, according to data released by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE).
Labourers emerged as the largest category with 171,206 registrations, while drivers followed with 52,652 registrations. Combined, these two groups represented nearly 80 percent of all overseas employment registrations recorded between January and May 2026.
Among skilled workers, cooks registered 9,824 applications, highlighting sustained international demand for Pakistani workers in the hospitality sector. Other key professions included technicians, engineers, fitters, electricians, carpenters, machine operators, plumbers and welders.
The data also showed registrations from professional categories such as doctors, accountants, computer analysts, teachers, nurses and agriculturists, although these occupations accounted for a comparatively smaller share of the total.
The figures underscore Pakistan’s continued dependence on overseas labour markets, particularly in Gulf countries, where employment opportunities remain concentrated in construction, transportation, logistics and other labour-intensive industries.
According to the Economic Survey 2025-26, Pakistan recorded 762,499 overseas employment registrations in 2025, reflecting the vital role foreign employment plays in generating jobs and supporting remittance inflows for the national economy.
