The number of Pakistanis going abroad for employment rose 5% in 2025, with most workers heading to the Middle East, according to official data.

A total of 762,499 Pakistanis left the country for jobs during 2025, up from 727,381 in 2024.

Saudi Arabia remained the top destination, with 530,256 Pakistanis going there for employment, a 17% increase from the previous year.

The number of Pakistanis traveling to Qatar reached 68,376, up 67% year on year. Bahrain also saw a sharp rise, with 37,736 Pakistanis going for work, a 50% increase.

Departures to Kuwait jumped to 6,590 in 2025 from 1,883 a year earlier, while 5,288 Pakistanis went to Turkey, more than triple the number recorded in 2024.

In contrast, stricter regulations and limited opportunities led to a decline in overseas employment in several other destinations.

The United Arab Emirates received 52,664 Pakistani workers, an 18% decrease from last year. The number going to the United Kingdom fell to 4,355 from 13,695, a drop of about two-thirds.

Only 1,005 Pakistanis went to the United States during the year. Departures to Spain declined by 55%, while those to Italy fell 22%.

The data show that Pakistani workers continued to favor Middle Eastern countries for employment in 2025, while opportunities in Europe and the United States remained comparatively limited.