Pakistan has experienced a concerning 119% rise in the emigration of highly skilled professionals in 2023, as revealed by the Economic Survey 2023-24.
This significant brain drain underscores the nation’s struggle to retain its intellectual capital amid ongoing economic challenges.
The survey’s statistics highlight a troubling trend: 45,687 skilled individuals left Pakistan in search of better opportunities abroad, compared to 20,865 in the previous year. This mass exodus casts a shadow over the government’s promises of a prosperous future for the country.
Regionally, Punjab led the emigration wave with 489,301 laborers seeking employment abroad. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa followed with 210,150 departures, while Sindh and the tribal areas recorded 72,382 and 36,609 emigrants respectively.
Economic analysts attribute this significant outflow to a prolonged economic crisis that began in late 2021. The crisis resulted in the closure of nearly half of the country’s industrial units, exacerbating unemployment and pushing skilled workers to look for better prospects overseas.
Despite this bleak scenario, the Economic Survey notes the crucial role of Pakistani expatriates in supporting the nation’s economy through remittances. Additionally, there has been a 4% increase in registrations with the Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment and the Overseas Employment Corporation, indicating a sustained interest among Pakistanis in finding jobs abroad.
The latest Labor Force Survey highlights the domestic employment challenges, with a notable portion of the population facing joblessness. As of 2020-21, Pakistan’s unemployment rate stands at 6.3%, with young people, especially those aged 15 to 24, most affected by job scarcity.
