Brain Drain in Pakistan – Overview of the Disaster and Its Effects

Today, it has been 76 years since Pakistan became independent, and the entire Pakistani nation is aware of the struggle and sacrifices that this freedom represents. But it is a pity that we could not sustain this continuous struggle, which was the foundation of this country. Despite the passage of a long time, Pakistan continued to suffer from stagnation instead of development which is causing brain drain in Pakistan. The country’s economy has stalled, poverty is more prevalent than ever, and unrest is increasing. As a result, migration, which was once to Pakistan, is now from Pakistan, with a large portion of those leaving being highly skilled and educated people.

The migration of Pakistanis abroad started in the 1950s in small numbers. In recent decades, 10,000 to 20,000 Pakistanis have migrated to America annually, with only a few returning. In 2008, 19,700 Pakistanis moved to the United States, 17,000 to the UK and Northern Ireland, and 13,400 to Spain.

Immigration and Present State of Pakistan Brain Drain

Emigration from Pakistan has been going on for years and about nine million Pakistanis have settled abroad, but this migration has accelerated in the last few years. In the first half of 2023, about eight million Pakistanis left the country, which is a record number, including one lakh highly skilled people, including IT professionals, doctors, nurses, engineers, and accountants. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Immigration, more than half of the refugees belong to Punjab, of which 27 thousand belong to Azad Kashmir.

The current situation is that the number of Pakistanis going abroad has increased dramatically. In 2021, it was 19,000, but it skyrocketed to 225,000 and tripled to 765,000 in 2022. In 2022, 92,000 people, including highly educated professionals such as doctors, engineers, IT experts, and accountants moved abroad. In just the first three months of the following year, 200,000 people left Pakistan.

Motives Behind Brain Drain in Pakistan

As of now, about 11 million Pakistanis are living abroad. Pakistan is among the few countries with a large percentage of young people—64% of the population—which is a resource not even available in many wealthier countries. However, this young generation, instead of contributing to Pakistan’s growth, is seeking opportunities abroad.

As mentioned above, bad economic conditions have been a major cause of brain drain in Pakistan. People are forced to emigrate for a better future, they want their children’s future to be at least secure. Notable reasons include the non-availability of good quality education, bribery,  slippage, non-merit-based selection, deterioration of law and order situation, and lack of a safe and sound environment for business investment.

Here are some of the primary reasons why the youth prefer to leave Pakistan.

(a) Eyeing for a Better Standard of Life

Every human being wants to improve their quality of life, which is a basic right. Unfortunately, the quality of life in Pakistan has been deteriorating. Essential facilities such as electricity, gas, and water are becoming scarce. Gas load shedding has become normal, even in summer. Some areas face prolonged gas and electricity shortages, with extremely high bills, creating a bleak situation for citizens.

(b) Better Job Opportunities Overseas

Among all the reasons, better job opportunities stand out. Around 66% of people leave Pakistan solely for better employment. Abroad, they can find stable economies, strong currencies, and more job prospects. The UAE is a popular destination due to its abundant job opportunities, followed by England, the United States, and Canada.

C) Political Crunch and Uncertainty

Political turmoil in Pakistan is another significant factor driving people away. The lack of law enforcement, a negative corporate culture, and weak education and health systems are pushing people to seek stability elsewhere. The interconnection between political and economic conditions makes it critical for Pakistan to stabilize both, or else the exodus of talent will continue.

(b) Extraordinary Joblessness Among Graduates 

Currently, around 34% of Pakistani graduates are unemployed. The undervaluing of educated youth is forcing them to look for opportunities abroad. According to a survey, 60% of Pakistan’s youth want to emigrate. The government seems uninterested in addressing this issue, as remittances provide a significant revenue source. No Pakistani wants to leave their homeland, but the challenges they face abroad are often preferable to the hardships they endure at home.

Effects Of Pakistani Brain Drain On The Economy

People play an important role in the prosperity and development of any country. The departure of the best doctors, engineers, scientists, professors or researchers from Pakistan can not only stop the success of the country but also destabilizes the country.   29,939 doctors since 1971. 11,968 nurses, 5791 pharmacists, 87869 engineers, 66093 accountants and 230639 painters or artists have left the country. All these people are highly skilled and were an important source of human capital for Pakistan. If all these people were given the necessities of life and better job opportunities, why would they consider leaving the country?

Reversing the Brain Drain in Pakistan

The government must address these core issues to retain its young workforce and harness their potential for national development. Only by creating a conducive environment for growth can Pakistan hope to reverse this brain drain and build a brighter future.  Creating job opportunities to bring skilled and educated people back to the country  is need of the hour to prevent brain drain in Pakistan.