ISLAMABAD: A sharp decline in the number of Pakistanis leaving for overseas employment has sparked concerns over the country’s future remittance inflows, a key pillar supporting the national economy, with experts warning that the trend could make it harder for the government to achieve its ambitious remittance targets.
According to six-month data compiled by overseas employment promoters, the number of Pakistanis departing for work abroad fell by around 20 per cent during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.
From January to June 2026, only 317,000 Pakistanis travelled abroad on work visas, down from 381,249 workers who left for overseas employment during the corresponding period in 2025.
Labour market experts said the slowdown has cast doubt over Pakistan’s ability to meet its target of sending 800,000 workers abroad by the end of 2026. They warned that the decline could eventually weigh on remittance inflows, which remain one of the country’s largest sources of foreign exchange.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and other Gulf states account for the bulk of Pakistan’s overseas workforce and are among the country’s most important sources of workers’ remittances. However, experts argue that inadequate policy measures are undermining employment opportunities for Pakistani workers in the Middle East.
Representatives of overseas employment promoters said the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) testing system, coupled with high processing costs, has become a major obstacle for prospective migrant workers.
They said many labourers with limited computer literacy struggle to navigate the testing procedures and comply with the system’s requirements. In addition, workers are now required to spend between Rs100,000 and Rs150,000 on mandatory testing, medical examinations and documentation before securing overseas employment.
Experts urged the government to reduce fees and simplify recruitment procedures to make overseas employment more accessible, arguing that lower costs would help sustain the flow of workers to international labour markets and support future remittance growth.
The concerns come despite Pakistan receiving a record $41.5 billion in workers’ remittances during fiscal year 2025-26. The government has set a higher target of $44bn in remittance inflows for fiscal year 2026-27, making sustained overseas employment critical to achieving that goal.
