Over 1.87 Million Highly Educated and Skilled Pakistanis Leave Country in Three Years
ISLAMABAD: More than 1.871 million highly educated and skilled professionals have left Pakistan for overseas destinations over the past three years, according to a written response submitted to the National Assembly by Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain.
The figures were presented during the question hour in the National Assembly, shedding light on the number of Pakistani professionals who have moved abroad in recent years.
According to the available information, those leaving the country include doctors, engineers, IT professionals, educationists and skilled workers from various other professions.
Journalist Aizaz Syed also shared the documents presented in the National Assembly. Commenting on the figures, he observed that Pakistan did not lack talent; rather, the key issue was the availability of better opportunities for qualified individuals.
The figures have renewed debate over the growing migration of educated and skilled professionals and its potential impact on Pakistan’s economy, healthcare system, education sector and other key areas.
پاکستان میں ٹیلنٹ کی کوئی کمی نہیں ۔۔۔ بس بات بہترین مواقع کی ہے ۔۔۔
🚨🚨 قومی اسمبلی میں وفقہ سوالات میں وزیر برائے سمندر پار پاکستانی چودھری سالک حسین نے تحریری جواب ایوان میں پیش کیا ہے جسکے مطابق گزشتہ 3 سالوں میں 18 لاکھ 71 ہزار سے زائد اعلی تعلیم یافتہ افراد پاکستان چھوڑ گئے۔۔۔
بیرون ملک جانے والوں میں ڈاکٹرز، انجینئرز، آئی ٹی پروفیشنلز ، ماہرین تعلیم سمیت دیگر پروفیشنلز شامل ہیں ۔۔
— Azaz Syed (@AzazSyed) October 16, 2026
Experts say that addressing this trend requires providing educated young people with employment opportunities that match their qualifications and ensuring merit-based recruitment in both the public and private sectors.
They also stress the need to improve salaries, allocate adequate resources for research, expand access to modern technology and create better opportunities for professional development.
Improving working conditions in the healthcare and education sectors is considered particularly important to retain qualified professionals and maintain the availability of essential services.
Similarly, greater investment in information technology and engineering, along with the creation of new jobs, could encourage young professionals to remain in Pakistan and build their careers at home.
Experts further emphasise that an effective strategy to address the issue should begin with a detailed assessment of the reasons behind professional migration, sector-wise statistics and the gaps left in the country’s workforce.
They say that evidence-based policies, better career prospects and a supportive professional environment are essential to retaining Pakistan’s skilled workforce and reducing the loss of valuable human capital.
