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Over 172,000 Pakistanis Seek Overseas Employment in Q1 2025Saudi Arabia Tops List as Most Popular Destination

ISLAMABAD: More than 172,000 Pakistanis pursued job opportunities abroad during the first quarter of 2025, according to new data released by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment.

From January to March, a total of 172,144 individuals left the country for overseas employment, with Saudi Arabia remaining the top destination. The Kingdom attracted 121,190 Pakistani workers, reaffirming its position as the most sought-after destination for job seekers from Pakistan.

Other major destinations included:

  • Qatar: 12,989 workers
  • Oman: 8,331 workers
  • United Arab Emirates: 6,891 workers
  • Bahrain: 939 workers

European and Asian countries also featured on the list, albeit with smaller numbers:

  • United Kingdom: 1,454
  • Turkey: 870
  • Greece: 815
  • Malaysia: 775
  • China: 592
  • Azerbaijan: 350
  • Germany: 264
  • United States: 257
  • Italy: 109
  • Japan: 108

Job Categories and Skill Breakdown

The majority of those who went abroad — 99,139 individuals — were classified as general labourers. Among skilled workers, key professions included:

  • Drivers: 38,274
  • Technicians: 3,474
  • Electricians: 2,130
  • Masons: 1,859
  • Cooks: 1,689
  • Welders: 1,058

The emigration of professionals also saw notable numbers:

  • Engineers: 1,479
  • Doctors: 849
  • Teachers: 436
  • Nurses: 390

Migration to Europe: A Parallel Trend

Separately, figures from the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reported that 28,000 Pakistani nationals applied for international protection in EU+ countries between October 2023 and October 2024.

Asylum applications peaked in October 2023, reaching around 3,400, but have since declined, falling to 1,900 by October 2024. These figures are considered separately from official overseas employment, as many applicants reportedly used irregular migration routes, including human smuggling channels, to reach Europe.

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