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ISLAMABAD: The trend of Pakistan overseas employment 2025 saw significant momentum in the first quarter, as 172,144 Pakistanis left the country in search of jobs abroad, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Immigration.
The Bureau’s figures reveal that Pakistan overseas employment 2025 statistics is off to a strong start, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the top destination, receiving 121,190 Pakistani workers. Oman followed with 8,331 workers, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) welcomed 6,891 individuals.
Qatar saw 12,989 Pakistani job seekers making it one of the most popular destinations, and Bahrain also drew 939 workers. Other countries included 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).
Among those who moved abroad, 99,139 were general labourers. Skilled workers included 38,274 drivers, 2,130 electricians, 1,859 masons, 1,689 cooks, 3,474 technicians, and 1,058 welders.
The emigration of professionals was also notable in the early months of 2025, with 849 doctors and 1,479 engineers going overseas for employment. Additionally, 390 nurses and 436 teachers were among those securing international jobs.
In comparison, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reported that around 28,000 Pakistani nationals applied for international protection in EU+ countries from October 2023 to October 2024. Asylum requests peaked in October 2023 at 3,400, declining to 1,900 by October 2024. These asylum figures are considered separate from official migration data, as many involve irregular human smuggling routes.
