Nearly 350,000 Pakistanis have gone abroad during the first six months of 2025, mainly in search of better job opportunities and improved living conditions. A major portion of this group includes professionals from the healthcare and technical fields.
Low salaries, limited career growth, and safety issues in Pakistan have pushed many doctors, nurses, and skilled workers to seek work overseas. This has caused staff shortages in local hospitals and added pressure on already strained public services.
Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, UK, and Canada are the top choices for these migrants. These destinations offer not only higher wages but also long-term career paths and stable environments.
Experts are concerned that this trend of skilled workers leaving the country—also known as brain drain—is weakening Pakistan’s workforce. As professionals continue to relocate, the country struggles to retain talent needed for key sectors like health, education, and technology.
Unless working conditions and opportunities improve within Pakistan, more professionals may continue to leave, making it harder for the country to progress. Addressing these challenges could help reverse the trend and encourage people to build their futures at home.
The government has acknowledged the issue but concrete steps to retain skilled workers are still needed. The departure of so many trained professionals within such a short time reflects the urgency of the situation.
This growing wave of migration highlights the need for better job policies and working conditions across the country.
