Saudia, UAE Emerge as Top Destinations for Pakistanis: Ipsos
News Desk
Islamabad: Saudi Arabia and the UAE have emerged as the leading destinations for Pakistanis looking to relocate, according to a recent survey by Ipsos.
The findings show that 30 percent of Pakistanis aspiring to move abroad prefer Saudi Arabia, while 20 percent have their sights set on the UAE, reflecting a growing disillusionment with the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
The survey results defy the commonly held belief that most Pakistanis, particularly the youth, are primarily drawn to Western countries.
Instead, a significant portion of Pakistanis seeking better opportunities abroad are opting for neighboring nations in the Gulf, which offer not only proximity to home but also increased job prospects and higher living standards.The trend is part of a broader pattern of emigration.
According to the Pakistani Bureau of Emigration, over 525,000 Pakistanis had already relocated abroad for employment by September 2024.
This figure contributes to a significant rise in emigration, with more than 800,000 Pakistanis moving abroad in 2022 alone—a sharp increase from the pre-pandemic years.
In 2019, the number of emigrants was 625,876, and in 2018, it was even lower at 382,439.
The escalating trend of emigration has raised alarms among policymakers, who are concerned about the long-term effects of this mass exodus.
The Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, led by Ahsan Iqbal, has expressed growing concern over the increasing brain drain, fearing that it could undermine Pakistan’s efforts to recover from its economic crises.
Iqbal recently described the departure of educated youth as a “great concern,” warning that the loss of skilled workers could exacerbate the country’s difficulties, particularly in vital sectors such as technology, education, and healthcare.
The emigration trend highlights the economic instability many Pakistanis face, including inflation, rising unemployment, and a lack of viable job opportunities.
For many young Pakistanis, countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE represent a promising future, with the lure of higher wages, better working conditions, and political stability.
The growing preference for these Gulf nations over Western destinations underscores the need for Pakistan to address its domestic challenges to retain its talented workforce and foster economic growth.
