Islamabad, June 9, 2025: More than one million Pakistanis left the country for overseas employment during the current fiscal year, according to the Economic Survey 2024–25 released today. The report provides detailed insights into labor migration trends across provinces and regions, underscoring the continued importance of foreign employment for Pakistan’s economy.
Punjab led the migration trend with 404,345 individuals going abroad for work, making it the largest contributor to the overseas labor force. It was followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which recorded 187,000 migrant workers, and Sindh, with 60,424 individuals seeking employment overseas.
From the tribal areas, 29,937 people migrated for work, while 29,591 individuals from Azad Jammu and Kashmir also joined the global workforce.
Smaller contributions came from the federal capital, with 8,621 workers, Balochistan with 5,668, and northern areas with 1,692 individuals pursuing overseas employment opportunities.
The report highlights not only the scale of labor migration but also the regional disparities in participation. It reaffirms the crucial role of remittances in sustaining Pakistan’s economy, especially amid domestic economic challenges and limited job opportunities at home.
