By Gulf News
Immigration from Pakistan declines by 15% while most people found jobs in Saudi Arabia
Dubai: In 2024, a total of 64,130 Pakistanis migrated to the UAE on work visas, while a much larger number — 452,561 workers—found employment in Saudi Arabia.
According to data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), these figures exclude thousands of Pakistanis who entered other countries on visit visas and later secured employment.
The data shows that the overall number of Pakistanis migrating abroad dropped to 727,381 in 2024, down from 862,625 in 2023, marking a 15% decline in immigration. Of this, over 62% (452,562 workers) headed to Saudi Arabia, which remains the leading destination for Pakistani workers. Oman ranked second, with 81,587 Pakistanis moving there for work.
The UAE attracted 64,130 professionals in various fields throughout 2024. Other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, such as Qatar and Bahrain, also saw significant inflows of Pakistani workers—40,818 to Qatar and 25,198 to Bahrain.
These countries implemented hiring processes and set up centers to assist Pakistani workers with visa policies and job placements. Additionally, 13,695 Pakistani professionals moved to the UK, while 1,077 went to the USA.
The majority of Pakistani emigrants continue to fill blue-collar roles, with 364,574 laborers and 185,209 drivers making up over 75% of the workforce migration. Skilled professionals also sought better opportunities abroad, including 3,642 doctors and 8,018 engineers, according to the BEOE.
A significant number of Pakistanis bypass the official registration process by directly applying for jobs or visas through private agents, recruitment agencies, or personal networks. These individuals are not included in the official data, suggesting the actual number of emigrants may be much higher than reported. Similarly, those living abroad illegally or overstaying their visas are not counted in the official statistics. Many people travel on tourist visas and later settle or work without proper documentation, contributing to the unreported migrant population.
In addition to the increase in migration to traditional labor markets, there has been a noticeable rise in the number of skilled professionals and students seeking opportunities in Europe and North America.
Remittance Growth
Remittance inflows from overseas workers have seen a significant boost this year, with projections indicating they will reach $35 billion by year-end. This growth is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased migration, a stable local currency against major international currencies, incentives for banks and currency agents, and the adoption of digital solutions to facilitate money transfers.
