Over the past five years, approximately 2.8 million Pakistanis have migrated abroad through legal channels, while 37% of the country’s population expresses a desire to leave, with educated youth making up the majority of aspiring migrants.
While less-educated individuals risk their lives attempting to reach Europe through illegal means, the trend of legal migration has accelerated significantly.
Massive Skilled Workforce Exodus
According to official data, between 1971 and 2022, more than 6 million Pakistanis left the country, including:
- 250,000 highly educated professionals,
- 450,000 highly skilled workers, and
- Over 5 million skilled laborers.
Despite being privileged and educated, 36% of young people have preferred to move abroad.
Preferred Destinations for Migration
Currently, 37% of Pakistanis wish to relocate overseas, with their top choices being:
- 30% Saudi Arabia,
- 20% Dubai,
- 9% United Kingdom,
- 8% Canada and the U.S., and
- 5% Europe.
Islamabad and KP Youth Leading Migration
Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have shown the highest migration rates, with:
- 46% of Islamabad’s youth have already left, and
- 35% of KP’s youth migrating abroad.
Concerns Over Brain Drain
Dr. Anwar Shad, a professor at Peshawar Agricultural University, has voiced concern over the mass exodus of skilled and talented youth, calling it a serious crisis that demands immediate intervention.
Experts warn that to curb this growing trend, the government must take urgent steps to:
- Promote entrepreneurship,
- Increase job opportunities, and
- Stabilize the economy to retain valuable human capital.
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