Thousands of highly qualified Pakistanis have travelled abroad for employment between 2024 and 2026. The figures include professionals working in management, engineering, healthcare, education, finance, and information technology.
According to the available data, 45,830 highly qualified professionals went abroad in 2024. Another 28,726 left in 2025, followed by 15,850 in 2026 when officials compiled the figures.
Together, these figures account for 90,406 departures across the three reported periods. However, the 2026 data cover only the period available when officials compiled the figures. They do not necessarily represent the full year.
The records show that skilled workers from several important sectors have sought employment opportunities overseas. However, the documents do not explain their reasons for leaving or whether they intend to return to Pakistan.
Managers Record the Highest Number of Departures
Managers represented the largest group among the listed professional categories. The data recorded 23,674 managers going abroad in 2024, followed by 9,562 in 2025 and 5,190 in 2026.
Engineers also accounted for a significant share of overseas departures. Their numbers stood at 8,015 in 2024, 5,945 in 2025, and 3,605 in 2026.
Accountants were another major professional group seeking overseas employment. The figures recorded 4,779 departures in 2024, 4,305 in 2025, and 1,771 in 2026.
These figures show that professionals from management, engineering, and finance feature prominently in the reported data.
Doctors, Nurses and Teachers Also Move Abroad
The healthcare and education sectors also recorded overseas departures among qualified workers.
A total of 3,625 doctors went abroad in 2024. Their number increased to 3,795 in 2025 before falling to 2,093 in 2026.
Meanwhile, 2,030 nurses moved overseas in 2024. The figure declined to 1,639 in 2025 and 626 in 2026.
Teacher departures remained relatively close during the first two reported years. The data recorded 1,729 teachers going abroad in 2024 and 1,725 in 2025. Another 1,457 departures were recorded in 2026.
These figures highlight the movement of professionals from healthcare and education into international employment markets.
IT Specialists and Other Skilled Workers
The data also include computer programmers, system analysts, pharmacists, dental surgeons, financial analysts, and pilots.
Computer programmer departures reached 1,351 in 2024, followed by 1,147 in 2025 and 664 in 2026. System analysts recorded 388 departures in 2024, 362 in 2025, and 243 in 2026.
Pharmacist departures stood at 155 in 2024, increasing to 183 in 2025 before reaching 156 in 2026. The figures for dental surgeons were 84, 63, and 45, respectively.
Financial analysts recorded 683 departures in 2024. Their number rose to 923 in 2025 before declining to 424 in 2026.
Pilot departures remained comparatively low. The data recorded 33 pilots going abroad in 2024, 37 in 2025, and 11 in 2026.
What the Figures Mean for Pakistan
The reported figures show that thousands of skilled Pakistanis have moved abroad for employment across several professional fields. These include sectors that require specialised qualifications and professional experience.
However, the available records do not establish why individuals left Pakistan. They also do not indicate how many professionals plan to return or remain overseas permanently.
The figures for 2026 are incomplete and should not be compared directly with full-year totals without considering the reporting period.
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The data provide an overview of overseas employment among highly qualified Pakistani professionals. Further information about migration reasons, return rates, and sector-specific workforce needs would help explain the broader impact on Pakistan’s labour market.
