Pakistan sent 151,120 skilled workers to Gulf countries in the first quarter of 2025, state-run media reported on Monday, with Saudi Arabia receiving the highest number of Pakistani laborers.
As Pakistan continues to face macroeconomic challenges, many citizens pursue employment opportunities abroad in hopes of a better quality of life. The Gulf region—especially Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—remains a prime destination for both skilled and unskilled Pakistani workers. Their remittances are crucial for supporting the country’s struggling economy.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Saudi Arabia welcomed 121,970 Pakistani workers during the period. The UAE received 6,891, Oman 8,331, Qatar 12,989, and Bahrain 939.
The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, which operates under the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, reported that a total of 172,144 Pakistani workers were deployed to various countries in the first three months of 2025.
The report detailed the professions of the outgoing workers: 38,274 were drivers, 3,474 technicians, 2,130 electricians, 1,859 masons, 1,689 cooks, 1,479 engineers, 1,058 welders, 849 doctors, 436 teachers, and 390 nurses.
Beyond the Gulf, Pakistani workers also headed to other regions: 1,454 went to the United Kingdom, 870 to Turkiye, 815 to Greece, 775 to Malaysia, 592 to China, 350 to Azerbaijan, 264 to Germany, 257 to the United States, 109 to Italy, and 108 to Japan.
In 2024, the Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis reported sending 727,381 skilled workers to countries in the Middle East and Europe. A senior official noted in February that the government was actively working to close the skills gap and improve the global competitiveness of Pakistani workers, particularly in the Gulf labor market.
In January, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, emphasized Islamabad’s commitment to boosting the number of skilled workers going to Saudi Arabia. He highlighted the need for innovative project management and a well-trained labor force.
On average, Pakistan sends around one million skilled workers abroad annually to help reduce unemployment and bolster foreign exchange reserves through remittances.
In a significant boost to the economy, Pakistan received a record $4.1 billion in remittances in March 2025, with Saudi Arabia once again emerging as the top contributor. The government anticipates economic growth of around three percent this year, buoyed in part by these inflows.