Over 230,000 Pakistanis Made the Bold Move to UAE in One Year
Uroosa Ahsan 
Doctors and engineers leaving Pakistan due to limited job opportunities are causing concerns about losing talented workers…
According to the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment, the UAE emerged as the second most popular destination for Pakistani emigrants in 2023.
The UAE, enriched by the presence of 1.7 million Pakistani expats, proudly hosts the second-largest community in the country.
Gulf countries were the top choices for Pakistani migrants, with Saudi Arabia being the most popular destination. Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Malaysia also saw significant numbers of Pakistani workers.
Since April 2024, more than 13.53 million Pakistanis have moved abroad to work in over 50 countries. A significant majority headed to GCC countries, primarily Saudi Arabia and the UAE, sending back remittances crucial for Pakistan’s economy.
From July to March 2024, Pakistanis in the UAE sent $3.7 billion back home.
The Pakistani rupee has weakened against the Emirati dirham over the past decade, dropping significantly from its previous value.
The UAE and Pakistan enjoy strong economic ties. Last year, the UAE provided a $1 billion deposit to support Pakistan’s balance of payments. Pakistani exports to the UAE saw a notable increase, as did imports from the UAE, which constitute a significant portion of Pakistan’s total imports.
