How Many Pakistanis Left Pakistan
In the last five years, almost 4 million people have left Pakistan due to factors such as economic challenges, employment prospects, and educational aspirations.
Annual Emigration Statistics (2019–2024)
The Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE) provides detailed statistics on the number of Pakistanis who have emigrated for employment purposes.
| Year | Number of Emigrants |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 625,203 |
| 2020 | 224,705 |
| 2021 | 288,280 |
| 2022 | 832,339 |
| 2023 | 862,625 |
| 2024 | 727,381 |
The significant decline in 2020 can be attributed to the global COVID-19 pandemic, which imposed travel restrictions and economic slowdowns worldwide. However, the subsequent years show a recovery and increase in emigration numbers, with a slight decrease observed in 2024.
Provincial Breakdown of Emigrants
Emigration trends vary across Pakistan’s provinces. The following table provides a provincial breakdown of emigrants over the past five years:
| Province | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab | 317,000 | 112,000 | 144,000 | 382,000 | 414,000 | 350,000 |
| Sindh | 98,000 | 35,000 | 45,000 | 119,000 | 129,000 | 110,000 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 150,000 | 54,000 | 69,000 | 182,000 | 198,000 | 170,000 |
| Balochistan | 10,000 | 4,000 | 5,000 | 13,000 | 14,000 | 12,000 |
| Azad Kashmir | 30,000 | 11,000 | 14,000 | 37,000 | 40,000 | 35,000 |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | 5,000 | 2,000 | 2,500 | 6,500 | 7,000 | 6,000 |
Punjab consistently has the highest number of emigrants, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. This trend reflects the population distribution and economic dynamics of these provinces.
Conclusion
The emigration of young Pakistanis has significant implications for the country’s labor market and socio-economic landscape. While seeking better opportunities abroad, this trend also highlights the need for domestic policies that address employment and educational prospects to retain talent within the country.
