Over 700,000 young professionals migrated out of Pakistan in 2024: report

Over 700,000 young professionals have left Pakistan in search of employment opportunities in the first half of 2024, according to the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment.

As many as 789,837 skilled professionals fled Pakistan during the six months of fiscal year 2024, BIOE said.

The department noted that the figure was recorded at 811,469 people who sought employment abroad in the previous financial year 2023.

Deputy Director Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment Abdul Shakur Soomro said that there were problems in issuing visas from Saudi Arabia in the fiscal year 2024 and the Kingdom issued most of the visas to the labour class.

He said that in the same period, the UAE has issued visas in professional categories, while the demand for professional workers has also increased in America and Europe.

On the other hand, Express Tribune reported citing official data that more than 1.2 million young people went overseas for employment during the tenure of the current coalition government.

Experts attributed the brain drain to uncertain economic conditions, rising inflation and unemployment.

The mass exodus highlights the pressing need for Pakistan to address its domestic employment landscape and retain its talented youth.