Mass Emigration: 10 Million Pakistanis Seek New Horizons Over 17 Years, Report Finds

Around 10 million Pakistanis have emigrated over the past 17 years, peaking during PML-N's tenure. The migration saw a surge post-pandemic with Saudi Arabia remaining a key destination. Concerns grow over brain drain and economic impact as more skilled labor joins the exodus.

In a span of 17 years, about 10 million Pakistanis have left their homeland in pursuit of better opportunities abroad, with a peak migration recorded during the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's (PML-N) tenure from 2013 to 2018, ARY News has reported, citing a Pulse Consultant report. The report, 'An Overview of Pakistani Emigration Patterns', reveals this staggering statistic.

The migration wave hit its zenith in 2015, with over 900,000 Pakistanis emigrating for employment. However, by 2018, this number decreased sharply by 60%, with only 300,000 seeking jobs abroad. The Covid-19 pandemic had a profound impact on emigration trends, but a notable surge occurred in 2022 as restrictions eased, bringing the number of emigrants to approximately 800,000 in 2022 and 2023, ARY News reported.

There has been a rise in the proportion of highly skilled individuals emigrating, increasing to 5% from a previous 2%. Nevertheless, the majority of emigrants in recent years have been blue-collar workers, with 46% being unskilled laborers, up from 41% during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) period. Significant changes have also been observed in migration destinations and job opportunities. While Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Qatar have traditionally been top destinations, the post-COVID era has seen a sharp decline in Pakistani workers in the UAE and a significant increase in Saudi Arabia. New destinations like the UK, Iraq, and Romania have also gained prominence. This exodus raises concerns about brain drain and its potential impact on Pakistan's economy and workforce, ARY News notes.

(With inputs from agencies.)