In short: An Ipsos Pakistan survey found that 26 per cent of people aged 18 to 34 would move abroad if they got the chance, while 74 per cent want to stay. Shakal Khan asks what is pushing young Pakistanis leaving Pakistan in such numbers: the cost of living, sifarish over merit, theory-heavy education and political uncertainty, and what must change to give youth a reason to stay.
There are increasing numbers of youth in Pakistan who are thinking about leaving the country in order to have a brighter future elsewhere. These include university graduates and highly trained workers who feel that their future is uncertain in Pakistan. Does it indicate their lack of confidence in Pakistan, or are they simply trying to find chances they can’t find here?
As revealed by a survey carried out by Ipsos Pakistan in September 2024, 26% of individuals from ages 18 to 34 would choose to relocate to another country if they were provided the chance, whereas 74% chose to remain in Pakistan. The survey covered more than 1,600 young people across the country. The results indicate that although young people prefer to remain in their home nation, this is an issue worth considering.
The Struggle for a Better Future
A contributing factor to this trend is the increased cost of living. With inflation, high education costs, housing costs, and inadequate salaries, young individuals find it hard to maintain financial stability. Even after attending university, many graduates find it hard to get jobs commensurate with their skills and career aspirations.
The other important issue is that of the practice of sifarish. There have been instances where young individuals in Sindh and Balochistan raise issues about restricted job opportunities, the role of political connections and strong local networks. When it seems that recommendation holds more weightage than merit, the well-deserving individuals feel sidelined. This leads to loss of faith in the system.
The educational system of Pakistan also experiences some difficulties. Most of the universities emphasize theoretical learning, whereas employers want graduates who have practical experience and technical knowledge. Consequently, although students might be graduates, they will have a hard time competing for jobs.
Political instability and lack of consistency in policy-making further contribute to the uncertainty. Youth require an environment where there can be business development, efficient functioning of institutions, and success through hard work.
The numbers behind the mood: The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment registered 862,625 Pakistanis for work abroad in 2023 and 727,381 in 2024. Among those who left in 2024 and 2025 were around 5,000 doctors, 11,000 engineers and 13,000 accountants. And among the young people in the Ipsos survey who wanted to leave, the most wanted destinations were Saudi Arabia, named by 30 per cent, and Dubai, named by 20 per cent.
What Needs to Change
What Pakistan really needs is not the delivery of impassioned speeches urging youth to remain, but the introduction of reforms that would provide for investment, employment, lower inflation rates, and proper recruitment.
There is an urgent need for universities to invest more in practical training, internships, research, and industrial collaboration. There is also a need to increase investment in smaller towns and less developed regions, especially Sindh and Balochistan.
Give Youth a Reason to Stay
Leaving Pakistan does not always imply giving up on Pakistan. There are many young people who feel attached to their country but wish for a better life.
There is another side to the story. Pakistanis working abroad sent home a record $38.3 billion in remittances in 2024-25, up 26.6 per cent in a single year, according to the State Bank of Pakistan. Those who leave do not stop carrying Pakistan with them. But remittances support families; they cannot replace the doctors, engineers and teachers a country trains and then loses.
The real question is not why young Pakistanis want to leave. It is why so many feel their future may be brighter somewhere else.
The young generation of Pakistan has all the potential to be successful. All they require is a system that appreciates their talent and offers them an equal opportunity.
The point is not that young Pakistanis wish to escape Pakistan. It is that they wish to find their future, and too many feel they must look beyond their own country to find it. That is where the difficulty arises.
Related reading on Feature Pakistan: Why Are Young Pakistanis Leaving Their Homeland? and The Hope That Never Hired: Youth Unemployment in Pakistan by Hafsa Nazir.
About the author: Shakal Khan is a BS English student at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro, and a resident of District Kashmore, Sindh. He writes opinion pieces on Pakistan’s politics, governance and society.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Feature Pakistan.
