Over 172,000 Pakistanis moved abroad for work in first quarter of 2025

More than 172,000 Pakistanis, primarily labourers, left the country in the first quarter of the ongoing year in search of better earning opportunities, according to statistics shared by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment on Tuesday.

The data showed that within the first three months of this year, a total of 172,144 Pakistani nationals departed for employment, with 99,139 of them being laborers.

The report indicated that among those who left, at least 1,859 were construction workers, 38,274 were drivers, and 1,689 were chefs. 

Additionally, in the first quarter, 849 doctors, 1,479 engineers, 390 nurses, 3,474 technicians, and 1,058 welders also moved abroad from Pakistan for work. Furthermore, 2,130 electricians and 436 teachers sought opportunities overseas.

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In terms of destinations, Saudi Arabia remained the top choice for Pakistani migrants, with 121,970 individuals moving there primarily for job purposes.

The United Arab Emirates followed, with 6,891 Pakistanis relocating there, while 8,331 went to Oman, 12,989 to Qatar, 939 to Bahrain, 775 to Malaysia, 592 to China, 350 to Azerbaijan, 264 to Germany, and 815 to Greece.

The report also noted that 108 Pakistanis travelled to Japan, 109 to Italy, 870 to Turkiye, 1,454 to the UK, and 257 to the US.