Pakistan has witnessed a massive wave of emigration in recent years. Millions of Pakistani citizens—especially skilled professionals—have left for better opportunities abroad, driven by economic instability, inflation, political uncertainty, limited career growth, poor governance, internet disruptions, and security concerns. While this trend brings substantial remittances, the long-term costs to Pakistan are significant, outweighing the short-term gains.
In the past three years, nearly 2.9 million Pakistanis have moved abroad, according to data from the Protector & Migrants Department. Rising inflation, lawlessness, unemployment, and challenges in starting businesses have driven people from all walks of life to leave. The migrants paid over Rs. 26.6 billion in protector fees to the government while departing. Local salaries no longer meet the cost of living, making it increasingly difficult to sustain livelihoods in Pakistan. The emigrants include professionals such as doctors, engineers, IT specialists, teachers, bankers, accountants, auditors, designers, and architects, as well as skilled workers like plumbers, drivers, and welders. Women form a significant portion of those leaving.
Cumulatively, over 14 million Pakistanis have officially migrated for work since 1972, with a sharp surge in the post-2021 period. In 2024, between 727,000 and 832,000 left for employment, of whom half were unskilled and 35 per cent skilled. In 2025, about 800,000 departed, including 20,000 highly educated professionals. During the last two years, 5,000 doctors, 11,000 engineers, and 13,000 accountants, along with thousands of IT experts, nurses, teachers, and technicians, left the country. The top destinations were Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Malaysia, with growing numbers heading to the UK, Germany, the US and other countries. The total Pakistani diaspora was estimated at 13–14 million abroad by the mid-2020s. This exodus ranks Pakistan high globally for skilled human capital migration — third in South Asia and among the top ten worldwide in some metrics.
Remittances from overseas Pakistanis are Pakistan’s second-largest foreign exchange source after exports, providing crucial stability to the debt-ridden economy. In 2023, remittances totalled $34 billion, constituting eight per cent of GDP. In 2024–2025, this amount surged to $38.5 billion, with monthly records such as $3.21 billion in July 2025. Rising remittances provide vital support to families, boost foreign exchange reserves, reduce borrowing needs, stabilise the current account and ease inflationary pressures. They act as a buffer amid debt, energy crises and low growth, but remain vulnerable to global downturns, visa changes and host-country policies. The government also collects substantial fees from departing migrants, adding to immediate revenue. Migration further alleviates pressure on Pakistan’s job market by absorbing a portion of the large annual increase in the workforce.
Migration is closely linked to rising unemployment, with 4.5 million Pakistanis out of work and youth aged 15–24 facing the highest unemployment rate at 11.1 per cent. As job opportunities shrink, many see migration as their only escape. While migrants contribute billions in fees and vital foreign exchange through remittances, the exodus of human capital weakens domestic sectors such as healthcare and education, slowing long-term growth. The brain drain is especially visible in the country’s healthcare system. Medical professionals are moving abroad in search of better incomes and access to advanced medical technology. As a result, Pakistan’s already fragile healthcare system is facing acute staff shortages at local hospitals.
Despite the many benefits of remittances, economic experts have calculated a net economic loss from skilled migration amounting to an annual opportunity cost of $4.2 billion. Other costs include the loss of education and training investments as public funds subsidise doctors and engineers only for them to benefit recipient countries. Experts also point to the shrinking middle class, which means reduced consumption, lower investment, a smaller tax base and weaker entrepreneurship. Fears of a deteriorating economic situation have also put Pakistanis studying abroad in distress. Previously, international students would return home to work, but now, with fewer jobs available, many choose to stay in their host countries and apply for permanent residency.
No doubt, remittances provide short-term economic relief, but they cannot substitute for domestic productivity, innovation or the intellectual capital needed for sustainable national growth. In this context, some economists have classified Pakistan as a “brain drain economy,” exporting the professionals it needs for its own development. Economists have repeatedly warned against excessive dependence on remittances, arguing that it masks deeper structural weaknesses. An economy that relies on exporting its workforce rather than creating opportunities at home is not a sustainable one.
The fact that so many people see no future for themselves in Pakistan should be a matter of serious concern for the authorities. Over the years, the country has become an increasingly difficult place to live. Persistent economic instability, rising inflation and job insecurity have created an environment of uncertainty. For the younger generation, leaving the country appears to be the only option. Widening economic inequality has eroded social cohesion. Employment conditions are unfavourable, wages are stagnant and job security is scarce. On the other hand, even a difficult job abroad promises better purchasing power and greater financial security.
To stem the outflow of talent, the government must undertake long-overdue reforms: improve governance, create jobs, invest in research, development and education, offer incentives for returnees and adopt a new diaspora policy to convert brain drain into brain gain or circulation. Pakistan’s young population needs tangible incentives to stay, including stable employment, fair wages, social mobility and a sense of belonging. Pakistan is a nation rich in talent, but this talent must be harnessed, nurtured and rewarded. The manpower export policy needs urgent review. Brain drain is a national crisis — a loss of people who could have built this country. A policy of inclusive growth is essential, as an elitist approach will continue to drive bright young people from the lower strata of society abroad in search of better opportunities.
It is time the government took concrete measures to create better economic opportunities at home for all. This calls for investing in technology hubs, industrial zones and start-ups, offering competitive salaries and creating a truly conducive environment for doing business. To achieve sustainable development, Pakistan must look away from crutches such as remittances and loans and instead retain and nurture its own indigenous capital — its productive human resources.