Cover image

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 PRESS RELEASE
Gallup Pakistan Analysis of the Pakistan Migration Patterns
Between 2011 and 2024, emigration registrations for salesmen saw a 62% increase, followed
by doctors (151%), engineers (172%), managers (990%) and nurses (a staggering 2144%) –
Pakistan Migration Patterns

Islamabad, March 6th, 2025

Gallup Pakistan, as part of its Big Data Analysis initiative, is looking at Pakistan Migration
Patterns, which can be found HERE.

What is the Big Data Analysis Series by Gallup?

Gallup Pakistan’s Big Data series was started by Bilal I Gilani, Executive Director of Gallup
Pakistan. Bilal explains the rationale of the series: “The usual complaint from academics and
policy makers is that Pakistan does not have data availability. Our experience negates that.
Pakistan has lots of data, but it is not available in a usable form and not widely accessible. At
Gallup we plan to bridge this gap in terms of accessibility and use of data. The Gallup Big
Data series has earlier worked with data sets such as PSLM, Labour Force Survey, and
Economic Survey reports as well as National Census Reports and Election Commission Data
sets. The current series is using data from the United Nations, the International Organization
for Migration, and the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment of the Government
of Pakistan, which provides a variety of demographic statistics. We hope that these series are
useful, and we welcome both feedback as well as possible collaborations as we create a
public good in the form of useful data sets in Pakistan.”

What data points this current edition covers:

This series aims to present the important learnings about the marital status in Pakistan, for
policy makers, the public, as well as for marketers in an easy and understandable way. This
edition looks at Migration Patterns for Pakistan. The series’ main aim is to provide data.
Implications of these data points for development sector as well as wider socio-political
ramifications is something we would like to trigger in relevant circles.

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infographics

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Migration has played a crucial role in shaping Pakistan’s social and economic fabric,
influencing labor markets, population demographics, and international relations. As
globalization and geopolitical shifts continue to reshape migration patterns, it is essential to
analyze the trends, drivers, and implications of both emigration and immigration. This report
provides a comprehensive examination of Pakistan’s migration landscape, using data from the
United Nations, the International Organization for Migration, and the Bureau of
Emigration and Overseas Employment of the Government of Pakistan.
The analysis delves into historical migration patterns, particularly the long-term impact of the
Partition of 1947 and regional conflicts that have led to large-scale population movements
between Pakistan and its neighboring countries. It also highlights the significant role of labor
migration, which remains a key component of Pakistan’s economy, with millions of workers
seeking employment opportunities abroad, particularly in the Gulf region. The evolving
composition of Pakistan’s migrant workforce, with a growing number of skilled professionals
seeking opportunities overseas, is also explored in depth.
While Pakistan has traditionally been a country of high emigration, it has also experienced
fluctuating inflows of migrants. This report examines the push and pull factors influencing
these migration trends, including economic conditions, conflict, government policies, and
global labor demands. Furthermore, it discusses the broader implications of migration on
Pakistan’s economy, workforce, and social structures, providing critical insights into how these
trends may evolve in the coming decades.
Looking ahead, migration patterns are expected to shift due to changing economic realities,
technological advancements, and international policy developments. The United Nations’
projections indicate a gradual reduction in Pakistan’s net migration rate, suggesting that while
more people will continue to leave the country than enter it, the gap may narrow over time.
Understanding these dynamics is essential for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders as
they navigate the challenges and opportunities posed by migration.
This report aims to serve as a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of
Pakistan’s migration trends. By providing data-driven insights and contextual analysis, it
contributes to a more informed discussion on how migration shapes Pakistan’s future in an
increasingly interconnected world.

Zainab Khan
Senior Research Consultant

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 Key Findings

1. According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, 727,381

Pakistanis registered for employment abroad in 2024.
2. Between 1981 and January 2025, a total of 13,498,204 Pakistanis registered for
employment abroad, with Punjab contributing over half (7,039,928) of this figure.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh contributed 25.7% (3,465,270) and 9.3%
(1,251,474) to the total, respectively.
3. Between 1971 and January 2025, 51% or around 7 million have registered to go to
Saudi Arabia for employment, followed by the United Arab Emirates (31%) and
Oman (8%).
4. Out of the 14 million Pakistanis who registered for employment abroad between
1971 and 2025, laborers made up the majority (5,619,107 or 39.8%) of the total.
They were followed by Drivers (14.9%) and Masons (6.2%).
5. Between 2011 and 2024, emigration applications for salesmen saw a 62% increase,
followed by doctors (151%), engineers (172%), managers (990%) and nurses (a
staggering 2144%).
6. According to UNDESA, migrants entering Pakistan constituted 1.4% of the global
migrant stock in 2024, marking a 2.6% decline from 4% in 1990.
7. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs forecasts that
Pakistan’s net migration rate will improve from -5.6 in 2024 to -0.9 in 2100.

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Migration is a fundamental aspect of global demographics, shaping economic, social, and
political landscapes. According to the United Nations, a person qualifies as an international
migrant if they cross an international border and change their usual place of residence for at
least 12 months. This report delves into the inflows and outflows of international migrants in
Pakistan, analyzing historical trends, key statistics, and projections for the future.

Pakistan’s Migration Landscape

This report aims to explore inflows and outflows of international migrants in depth in
subsequent sections, comparing data over time and across different cross-sections. An
International Organization for Migration (IOM) study from 2017 reported that between
2012 and 2017, the country experienced a net international migration of -1,071,771, with
migrants constituting 4.8% of Pakistan’s total population.
Historical factors have played a crucial role in shaping these patterns. Approximately 18% of
Pakistan’s out-migrant and 55% of its in-migrant populations can be traced back to the 1947
Partition, as Pakistani-origin individuals living in India accounted for a large share of
Pakistani emigrants. Meanwhile, 45% of Pakistan’s in-migrants are Afghan nationals, whose
influx has been driven by Afghanistan’s socio-political instability, particularly in the 1990s
and early 2000s.
Fig. 1

Source: International Organization for Migration1

Migrant Outflows from Pakistan

The international migrant stock, as defined by the United Nations, represents the total number
of international migrants in a country at a given time, categorized by either birth country or
citizenship.

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https://pakistan.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1121/files/documents/pakistan.pdf

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 Fig. 2: International migrant stock at mid-year - Pakistan as a % of Global
Migrants (Origin)

Both sexes combined Males Females

8.0%

1.5%
6.0% 1.4% 1.4%
1.4%
1.6%
1.4% 1.4% 1.3%

4.0% 3.4%
3.1% 3.1%
2.8%
2.5% 2.4% 2.5%
2.4%

2.0%

2.1% 2.5% 2.3% 2.3%

2.0% 1.9% 1.9% 1.9%

0.0%
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2024

Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024).
International Migrant Stock 2024. Visualization by Gallup Pakistan.

According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA),
Pakistani-origin migrants constituted 2.3% of the global migrant stock in 2024, reflecting
a 0.3% increase from 1990 (Figure 2). A gender breakdown shows that Pakistani men made
up 3.1% of the total male migrant stock, while women contributed to 1.4% to the international
female migrant figures. These numbers have remained relatively constant across the last three
decades, peaking in 2015 where the total migrants from Pakistan made up 2.5% of the global
stock, with the female contributions being 3.4% and 1.5%, respectively.
Fig. 3
Region, development group, country or area World Pakistan
Number of international migrants (thousands)

1990 153,916 6,208

2010 221,020 3,944
2024 304,022 4,176
International migrants as a share of total population (%)

1990 2.9 5.3

2010 3.1 2
2024 3.7 1.7
Percentage female among international migrants

2024 48 48.1
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division
(2024). International Migrant Stock 20242.

Key figures from the United Nation’s migrant stock statistics paint a dynamic picture of
migration across the globe. While mere numbers, without qualitative insight into the socio-

https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/undesa_pd_2025_intlmigstock_2024_key_facts
_and_figures_advance-unedited.pdf

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political and economic landscapes of different regions, do not reveal a holistic view, they
provide a reasonable enough starting point for deeper analyses. Between 1990 and 2024, the
total number of international migrants nearly doubled from 153 million to 300 million.
However, during the same period, the migrant population from Pakistan saw a sharp
decline, falling from 6 million to 4 million, marking a 32.7% decrease. This also reflects
when looking at international migrants as a share of total population. At the global level, there
has been an increase of 0.8%, while migrants making up 3.7% of the total global population in
2024. On the other hand, this proportion fell for Pakistan, from 5.3% in 1990, to 1.7% in 2024.
Employment-Driven Emigration
Economic factors are among the most significant drivers of emigration from Pakistan.
Fig. 4

Source: Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment, Government of Pakistan3

https://galluppakistandigitalanalytics.com/overseas-pakistanis-dashboard/

According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, 727,381 Pakistanis

registered for employment abroad in 2024 (Figure 4). The trend since 1971 shows a slowly
rising number of emigrants annually, with occasional highs and lows and a steep incline post-
2006. For instance, 2020 saw a record low of 225,213 emigrants – the lowest since 2006, owing
to travel restrictions imposed because of Covid-19, while the highest number recorded in the
past five decades came in 2015 (946,571).

Fig. 5: Number of Pakistani Workers Registered for Employment Abroad: 1981-

2025 (upto January) - by Province
1,000,000

800,000

600,000

400,000

200,000

Federal Punjab Sindh Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Baluchistan Azad Kashmir Tribal Area

Source: Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment, Government of Pakistan. Visualization by Gallup Pakistan.

3
https://beoe.gov.pk/reports-and-statistics

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Between 1981 and January 2025, a total of 13,498,204 Pakistanis registered for
employment abroad, with Punjab contributing over half (7,039,928) of this figure.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh have contributed 25.7% (3,465,270) and 9.3%
(1,251,474) to the total, respectively (Figure 5). The trend across provinces follows the
national overall trendline, 2015 and 2023, and steep declines in 2020-21.
In order to further analyze the motivators behind international emigration, destination
countries provide valuable information. Between 1971 and January 2025, 14,114,918
Pakistanis have registered for employment abroad (Figure 6). Among them, 51% or around
7 million have gone to Saudi Arabia – the most common destination for workers looking
to leave the country. This is followed by the United Arab Emirates (31%) and Oman
(8%). Kuwait, which received 180,755 applicants between 1971-2010, only had 7,292 people
apply for employment in the 2021-2025 time period. On the other hand, there has been a rise
in applicants to the United Kingdom, from 11,044 (1971-2010) to 34,627 (2021-2025).
Applicants to Qatar have also more than doubled over the years, from 82,043 to 196,318.
These variations in destinations could be attributed to changes in international law,
emigration policies, and nature of employment in the destination country. While a large
number of those who travel to Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Aradia and the UAE are
unskilled labor or manual workers, this composition differs among migrants to Western or
European regions of the world.

Fig. 6: Number of Pakistan Workers Registered for Employment Abroad: 1971-2025 (upto
January) - by Top 10 Countries of Destination

Saudi Arabia U.A.E Oman Qatar Bahrain Kuwait Malaysia Iraq Libya U.K

0 1,000,000 2,000,000 3,000,000

2,742,962
1,595,574
394,436
82,043
1971-2010 94,599
180,755
23,410
68,135
72,112
11,044
1,686,548
1,289,725
258,307
43,343
2011-2015 49,026
703
46,225
2,733
9,034
1,159
1,176,011
1,044,664
153,401
69,084
2016-2020 37,922
2,581
41,308
5,381
42
2,980
1,591,813
452,791
269,673
196,318
2021-2025 68,192
7,929
33,302
16,411
423
34,627

Source: Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment, Government of Pakistan. Visualization by Gallup Pakistan.

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Out of the 14 million Pakistanis who registered for employment abroad between 1971
and 2025, laborers made up the majority (5,619,107 or 39.8% of the total). They were
followed by Drivers (14.9%) and Masons (6.2%). Other common professions include
carpenters, technicians, electricians and steel fixers. While majority of the top ten most
common professions to find employment abroad are manual or unskilled labor, an interesting
trend emerges where over the years, the numbers of individuals going abroad in each
category are decreasing. For example, while carpenters make up the fourth-largest category,
their emigration numbers have fallen from 158,334 between 2011-2015 to 33,694 between
2021-2025 – a 78.7% decrease. A similar downward trend can be observed among
technicians (-52.4%), electricians (-55.4%) and mechanics (53.3%).

Fig. 7: Number of Pakistani Workers Registered for Employment Abroad: 1971-2025

(upto January) - by Top 10 Occupations

1971-2010 2011-2015 2016-2020 2021-2025

0 500,000 1,000,000 1,500,000 2,000,000 2,500,000

2,093,318
Labourer 1,298,217
968,616
1,258,956
487,605
Driver 434,476
472,215
714,712
411,233
Mason 247,613
126,735
82,995
290,403
Carpenter 158,334
80,727
33,694
216,269
Technician 155,370
87,395
73,909
187,699
Electrician 128,756
78,696
57,444
181,374
Steel Fixer 120,235
51,862
15,730
192,437
Agriculturist 98,636
57,388
12,267
146,172
Mechanic 77,999
48,277
36,433
104,257
Painter 72,173
47,602
23,749

Source: Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment, Government of Pakistan. Visualization by Gallup Pakistan.

Figure 8 shows the other side of the emigration picture, where less common occupations like
salesmen, managers and medical professionals are seeing very considerable increases in
emigration applications. This could be indicative of more opportunities, higher awareness or
greater means of going abroad. It also indicates that while laborers and similar workers make

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up the majority of Pakistani emigrants, skilled professionals are also trying to leave the
country at an ever-greater pace. Between 2011 and 2024, emigration registrations for
salesmen saw a 62% increase, followed by doctors (151%), engineers (172%), managers
(990%) and nurses (a staggering 2144%).
Fig. 8 Number of Pakistani Workers Registered for Employment Abroad
Occupation 2011 2024 Percentage change
Salesman 7,461 12,075 62%
Manager 2,272 24,760 990%
Engineer 2,951 8,018 172%
Doctor 1,453 3,642 151%
Nurse 131 2,940 2144%
Source: Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment, Government of Pakistan

Migrant Inflows into Pakistan

Despite the significant outflow of migrants, Pakistan also experiences considerable in-
migration. According to UNDESA, migrants entering Pakistan constituted 1.4% of the
global migrant stock in 2024, marking a 2.6% decline from 4% in 1990. The male
migrant proportion fell from 4.2% in 1990 to 1.4% in 2024, while female migrants declined
from 3.9% to 1.4% over the same period. The sharp increase in migrant inflows in the late
20th century was largely driven by Afghan refugees seeking asylum during Afghanistan’s
ongoing conflicts.

Fig. 9: International migrant stock at mid-year - Pakistan as a % of Global

Migrants (Destination)

Both sexes combined Males Females

12%

3.9%

8%

4.2% 2.2%
2.1%

1.6% 1.7%
4%
2.4% 2.5% 1.4% 1.4%
1.8% 1.1%
1.7%
4.0% 1.4% 1.3% 1.4%
2.2% 2.4% 1.8%
1.6% 1.4% 1.2% 1.4%
0%
1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2024
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). International Migrant
Stock 2024. Visualization by Gallup Pakistan.

Globally, the annual rate of change in migrant stock has remained positive and relatively
stable, ranging between 1.2% and 2.5% throughout the observed periods. The world saw a
slight increase in migration growth from 1990-1995 (1.2%) to 2005-2010 (2.7%), followed
by a small dip in 2015-2020 (1.9%) before recovering to 2.5% in 2020-2024. This indicates a
consistent but moderate rise in global migration over time.

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Pakistan’s migration trend, however, has been much more volatile, showing significant
fluctuations between periods of decline and growth. The country experienced a sharp
negative migration trend between 1990-1995 (-10.5%) and 2000-2005 (-5.5%), indicating a
substantial decrease in migrant stock during these years. A notable recovery occurred in
2005-2010, where migration stock increased by 4.3% annually, the highest positive
change before 2020. However, the trend reversed again with negative growth in 2010-2015
(-2.3%) and 2015-2020 (-1.4%), suggesting migration outflows or a reduction in incoming
migrants. The most significant increase happened in 2020-2024, where Pakistan's migrant
stock grew by 6.1% annually, marking the highest rate of increase in the entire dataset.
This pattern suggests that migration trends in Pakistan are highly responsive to political,
economic, and social factors, experiencing dramatic shifts over time. The recent sharp
increase (6.1%) in 2020-2024 may be attributed to policy changes, conflict-driven migration,
or increased labor mobility. In contrast, the global migration trend appears more stable,
indicating a steady flow of migrants worldwide.

Fig. 10: Annual rate of change of the migrant stock by area of destination, 1990-2024
(percentage)

World Pakistan

8.0 6.1
4.3
4.0 2.6 2.7 2.5 2.5
2.0 1.9
1.2 1.3

0.0

-1.4
-4.0 -2.3

-5.5
-8.0

-12.0 -10.5
1990-1995 1995-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 2010-2015 2015-2020 2020-2024

Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). International Migrant Stock
2024. Visualization by Gallup Pakistan.

Future Projections
Using historical trends and current migration dynamics, the United Nations Department
of Economic and Social Affairs forecasts that Pakistan’s net migration rate will improve
from -5.6 in 2024 to -0.9 in 2100. While this still indicates a net outflow of migrants, the
significant reduction suggests that either emigration rates will slow down, or in-migration will
increase over the coming decades. Factors such as economic development, international labor
demands, political stability, and government policies will play crucial roles in shaping this
trajectory.
Pakistan’s migration landscape is shaped by a complex interplay of historical, economic, and
political factors. While the country has witnessed a significant outflow of emigrants—largely
driven by economic opportunities—there has been a noticeable shift in the composition of
migrants, with a growing number of skilled professionals seeking work abroad. At the same
time, migration inflows have fluctuated due to regional conflicts and changing government
policies.

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The overall decline in net migration suggests a broader global trend where migration patterns
are becoming more dynamic and responsive to socio-political factors. Looking ahead,
Pakistan’s migration trends will likely stabilize, with a reduction in net outflows as economic
opportunities expand and global labor demands shift. Policymakers must consider these trends
in planning for workforce development, labor market policies, and international migration
agreements to ensure that migration serves as a tool for economic growth rather than a
challenge.

Fig. 11: Net Migration Rate (per 1,000 population)

0
2026

2030

2034

2038
2024

2028

2032

2036

2040
2042
2044
2046
2048
2050
2052
2054
2056
2058
2060
2062
2064
2066
2068
2070
2072
2074
2076
2078
2080
2082
2084
2086
2088
2090
2092
2094
2096
2098
2100
-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

-6

Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). International Migrant Stock
2024. Visualization by Gallup Pakistan.4

By continuously analyzing and adapting to these trends, Pakistan can better harness the
potential of migration, ensuring it contributes to national development while addressing the
challenges that arise from large-scale mobility.

4
https://population.un.org/wpp/downloads?folder=Standard%20Projections&group=Most%20used

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Wish to Contribute to Gallup Big Data Analysis?
Gallup Pakistan is looking for collaboration with researchers to expand the Big Data Analysis
project. If you have any ideas, please write to Bilal I Gilani, Project Director, Big Data Analysis
at Gallup Pakistan.
Wish to know more about Pakistan’s Migration Patterns?
The United Nations Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs
provides the international community with timely and accessible population data and analysis
of population trends and development outcomes for all countries and areas of the world. To
this end, the Division undertakes regular studies of population size and characteristics and of
all three components of population change (fertility, mortality and migration). Founded in
1946, the Population Division provides substantive support on population and development
issues to the United Nations General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and the
Commission on Population and Development. It also leads or participates in various
interagency coordination mechanisms of the United Nations system. The work of the
Division also contributes to strengthening the capacity of Member States to monitor
population trends and to address current and emerging population issues.
You can find more information on Migration Patterns at:
https://beoe.gov.pk/reports-and-statistics, and

https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/sites/www.un.org.development.desa.pd/files/undesa_p
d_2025_intlmigstock_2024_key_facts_and_figures_advance-unedited.pdf

Disclaimer: Gallup Pakistan is not related to Gallup Inc. headquartered in Washington D.C. USA. We
require that our surveys be credited fully as Gallup Pakistan (not Gallup or Gallup Poll). We disclaim
any responsibility for surveys pertaining to Pakistani public opinion except those carried out by Gallup
Pakistan, the Pakistani affiliate of Gallup International Association. For details on Gallup
International Association see website: www.gallup-international.com

Disclaimer: The views and inferences expressed in the article are that of the author themself and Gallup
Pakistan does not take any responsibility in this regard. This series, and many such initiatives, are
internally funded by Gallup Pakistan and Gilani Research Foundation. No outside country or local
funding has been received for this current activity.

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