More than 1.87 million highly educated Pakistanis have reportedly moved abroad over the past three years, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and Overseas Pakistanis during the National Assembly’s question hour.
The official data covers professionals from several fields, including medicine, education, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and information technology. It includes doctors, teachers, nurses, pharmacists, dental surgeons, computer programmers and system analysts who went abroad for employment during 2024, 2025 and 2026 so far.
The figures have renewed attention on the movement of Pakistan’s educated workforce overseas and the potential implications for key sectors that depend on skilled professionals.
However, the figures require careful interpretation because the profession-wise numbers listed in the documents do not appear to account for the reported total of more than 1.87 million highly educated individuals.
Ministry Presents Overseas Employment Figures in National Assembly
The Ministry of Human Resource Development and Overseas Pakistanis provided the figures in response to a question raised during a National Assembly session.
According to the documents, 45,830 highly educated Pakistanis went abroad in 2024, while 28,726 secured employment overseas in 2025. A further 15,850 were reported to have gone abroad in 2026 so far.
These three annual figures total 90,406, which is substantially lower than the headline figure of more than 1.871 million cited in the report. The discrepancy means the overall number and its scope would need clarification from the relevant authorities.
The figures nevertheless provide a breakdown of overseas employment among selected professional groups, offering a snapshot of the movement of skilled workers from Pakistan.
Doctors Continue to Seek Employment Abroad
The official documents show that thousands of Pakistani doctors secured employment overseas during the period covered.
A total of 3,625 doctors went abroad in 2024, followed by 3,795 in 2025. Another 2,093 doctors reportedly secured overseas employment in 2026 so far.
The figures show that the number of doctors recorded for 2025 was higher than the figure for 2024, while the 2026 total remains lower at the point covered by the report.
The movement of medical professionals abroad is an important issue for Pakistan’s healthcare sector, where hospitals and healthcare facilities depend on trained doctors to provide medical services.
However, the figures alone do not establish how many doctors permanently emigrated, how many may return to Pakistan, or how their departure has affected staffing levels in individual hospitals.
Teachers and Nurses Also Included in the Data
The ministry’s figures also covered teachers who moved abroad for employment.
According to the documents, 1,729 teachers went overseas in 2024, while 1,725 did so in 2025. In 2026, the number stood at 1,457.
The reported figures indicate that overseas employment among teachers remained at a similar level in 2024 and 2025, with a lower total recorded for 2026 so far.
Nurses were another major professional category included in the data. A total of 2,030 nurses went abroad for employment in 2024, followed by 1,639 in 2025 and 626 in 2026.
Healthcare professionals often seek international employment for a range of reasons, including career development, professional opportunities and improved working conditions. However, the ministry’s figures do not specify the individual reasons behind the decisions of those recorded.
The movement of nurses and doctors can have implications for healthcare workforce planning, particularly if departures are not matched by sufficient recruitment and training.
Pharmacists and Dental Surgeons Among Overseas Workers
The official data also listed pharmacists and dental surgeons who went abroad for employment.
According to the documents, 155 pharmacists moved overseas in 2024, while 183 secured employment abroad in 2025. Another 156 pharmacists were recorded in 2026.
For dental surgeons, the figures showed that 84 went abroad in 2024, followed by 63 in 2025 and 45 in 2026 so far.
These professions require specialised education and training, making workforce retention an important consideration for healthcare services.
The figures, however, do not specify the destinations of these professionals or whether their overseas employment is temporary or permanent.
IT Professionals Also Moving Overseas
The ministry’s figures included computer programmers and system analysts, two professional groups associated with the technology sector.
According to the documents, 1,351 computer programmers went abroad in 2024, while 1,147 moved overseas in 2025. A further 664 were recorded in 2026 so far.
The figures for system analysts showed that 388 went abroad in 2024, followed by 362 in 2025 and 243 in 2026.
The movement of technology professionals is relevant to Pakistan’s growing digital economy, where skilled workers contribute to software development, IT services and technology-related businesses.
Overseas employment can provide professionals with access to international experience and career opportunities. At the same time, retaining experienced workers can be important for local companies seeking to expand their operations and compete in international markets.
The reported numbers do not establish the overall impact on Pakistan’s IT industry, nor do they indicate how many professionals continue to work for Pakistani companies while living abroad.
What the Figures Mean for Pakistan
The data presented in the National Assembly highlights the importance of understanding how Pakistan’s skilled workforce moves between domestic and international labour markets.
The departure of trained professionals can create challenges for sectors that need experienced workers, particularly if recruitment and training do not keep pace with departures.
At the same time, overseas employment can bring benefits to workers and their families through international experience, income opportunities and remittances sent back to Pakistan.
Assessing the broader impact requires more detailed information, including the professionals’ destinations, the duration of their employment abroad, the number who return, and the extent to which their departure affects staffing in Pakistan.
Clarification of the reported total of more than 1.871 million is also important because the annual figures and selected professional categories listed in the report do not reconcile with that headline number.
Following the question-hour proceedings, the National Assembly session was adjourned until Monday at 5pm.
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