Over 336,000 Pakistanis left for jobs abroad in first half of 2025: Report

The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BUEO) facilitated the overseas placement of approximately 336,999 Pakistanis between January 1 and June 30, 2025, according to state-run media reports on Monday. The surge is being attributed to the government’s proactive policies aimed at expanding employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers.

Every year, thousands of Pakistanis seek employment abroad, particularly in the Gulf region, Europe, the United States, and other destinations. Since its establishment in 1971, the BUEO has enabled over 10 million Pakistani workers to secure jobs overseas, according to the reports.

“In the first six months of this year alone, around 336,999 Pakistanis have proceeded abroad for employment through the BUEO,” the report said, quoting the official.

The official also noted that 2015 marked a record year, with 946,571 Pakistanis going abroad for work—the highest annual figure to date. Currently, the bureau has about 116,300 foreign job openings listed and available for applicants.

“Overseas employment plays a crucial role in easing domestic unemployment pressures while serving as a key source of foreign exchange through workers’ remittances,” the report added.

The BUEO, an attached department of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, oversees the emigration process. It regulates, facilitates, and monitors the operations of Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs) in the private sector, as well as "direct employment" routes pursued independently by individuals through personal contacts abroad.

Since its inception, the bureau has maintained detailed records of all emigrant workers, forming a vital data source for national economic planning and policy formulation by the Economic Affairs Division and other government bodies.

Remittances from Pakistanis working overseas remain a critical pillar of the country’s economy, especially as Pakistan continues to navigate a prolonged economic crisis and seeks to strengthen its foreign exchange reserves.