Lahore: Nearly two-thirds of Pakistani labor migrants are categorized as low-skilled or unskilled, with their share expected to increase by 2025, according to a new report by the Lahore School of Economics. The Pakistan Migration Report 2025, released on Tuesday, highlights the critical role of overseas workers in maintaining Pakistan's economic stability amid fluctuating migration trends and rising remittances.
According to Lahore School of Economics, the report provides a detailed analysis of migration patterns, noting a decline in the number of migrant workers from 862,000 in 2023 to 725,672 in 2024, followed by a slight recovery to 762,499 in 2025. This volatility is attributed mainly to visa restrictions and changing labor market policies in host countries. The Gulf region remains the dominant destination, hosting approximately 92 percent of registered Pakistani migrant workers, with Saudi Arabia leading the list. Despite this concentration, there is a gradual shift towards other countries like the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where remittance inflows tend to be higher due to a relatively more skilled workforce.
Remittances have seen a significant 25 percent surge, rising from $30.2 billion in 2023-24 to $38.3 billion in 2024-25, now constituting 9.34 percent of Pakistan's GDP. Experts link this increase to both higher migration levels and a gradual shift towards skilled workers, although persistent domestic inflation has added pressure on overseas Pakistanis to send more money home.
The report also identifies several challenges, such as underrepresentation of women in the migrant workforce, who make up only 1.0 percent of total migrants. Irregular migration poses another concern, with 5,680 Pakistanis apprehended at European borders in 2024, primarily via risky sea routes.
At the report's launch, Mio Sato, chief of mission at the International Organisation for Migration in Pakistan, emphasized the need for safe migration channels and skills development programs aligned with global labor market demands. Dr. Shahid Amjad Chaudhry, Rector of the Lahore School of Economics, noted the importance of migration in Pakistan's economic framework, warning that without reforms, the country's model will remain vulnerable to global economic shocks.