More than 278,000 Pakistanis registered for overseas employment during the first five months of 2026, highlighting the country’s continued reliance on foreign job markets and the strong demand for workers in Gulf economies.
According to data released by the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE), a total of 278,563 Pakistanis registered for overseas jobs between January and May this year.
Labourers accounted for the largest share of registrations, with 171,206 individuals seeking work abroad. Drivers ranked second with 52,652 registrations. Together, the two categories made up nearly 80 percent of all overseas employment registrations during the period.
The figures reflect the sustained demand for Pakistani workers in construction, transportation, logistics and other labour-intensive sectors, particularly across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The latest data comes as overseas employment remains a key source of livelihood for thousands of Pakistani families and a major contributor to the country’s remittance inflows.
Skilled Workers Also Find Opportunities Abroad
Beyond labourers and drivers, several skilled professions recorded notable registration numbers.
According to the BE&OE, 9,824 cooks registered for overseas employment during the first five months of the year, underlining continued demand from the hospitality industry in destination countries.
Registrations also came from technicians, engineers, fitters, electricians, carpenters, machine operators, plumbers and welders. These professions remain in demand across infrastructure, manufacturing and energy projects in the Middle East.
The data further showed participation from professional categories including doctors, accountants, computer analysts, teachers, nurses and agriculturists. While these professions represented a smaller portion of overall registrations, they demonstrated the diversity of Pakistan’s overseas workforce.
Saudi Arabia remains the leading destination for Pakistani workers, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and other Gulf states. In recent years, labour migration has increasingly expanded into sectors requiring technical and vocational skills.
Government officials have repeatedly emphasized the importance of skills development and workforce certification to help Pakistani workers access better-paying opportunities abroad.
Overseas Employment Remains Key Economic Lifeline
The latest figures align with broader trends highlighted in the Economic Survey 2025-26, which reported 762,499 overseas employment registrations during 2025.
The survey described overseas employment as a critical pillar of Pakistan’s economy, supporting millions of households through remittances and easing pressure on the domestic labour market.
Pakistan received more than $38 billion in workers’ remittances during the last fiscal year, according to State Bank of Pakistan data, with a significant share originating from Gulf countries where most Pakistani migrant workers are employed.
Economists say overseas employment continues to play a vital role in strengthening foreign exchange reserves and supporting economic stability. However, they also stress the need to expand opportunities for skilled and professional workers to increase earnings and improve the global competitiveness of Pakistan’s workforce.
With more than a quarter of a million registrations already recorded in the first five months of 2026, the latest data suggests overseas employment will remain a major source of economic support for Pakistan in the years ahead.
