Saudi Arabia and the UAE have emerged as the top destinations for Pakistanis looking to relocate, according to a recent Ipsos survey.

The survey reveals that 30% of Pakistanis aspiring to move abroad prefer Saudi Arabia, while 20% target the UAE, reflecting a growing frustration with the country's current economic challenges.

The survey findings challenge the prevailing notion that the majority of Pakistanis, especially youth, are primarily focused on relocating to Western countries.

Instead, the survey highlights that most Pakistanis looking to move abroad are opting for neighboring, economically stable nations that offer proximity to home, as well as greater job prospects and better living standards.

According to the Pakistani Bureau of Emigration, over 525,000 Pakistanis have already relocated abroad for employment opportunities as of September 2024.

This number is part of a larger trend that has seen more than 800,000 Pakistanis leave the country in 2022, a significant increase from pre-pandemic years. In 2019, 625,876 Pakistanis moved abroad, and in 2018, the number was even lower, at 382,439.

The growing trend of emigration has raised concerns among policymakers about the long-term effects of this mass exodus. The Pakistani government, particularly the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, has expressed alarm over the increasing brain drain, which threatens to undermine the country’s potential for recovery from its ongoing economic crisis.

Ahsan Iqbal - Pakistan's Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives -  voiced his concerns earlier this year, describing the exodus of educated youth as a "great concern."

The minister warned that the departure of skilled workers could exacerbate the challenges the country faces in addressing its economic issues, particularly in sectors such as technology, education, and healthcare.

Experts suggest that Pakistan's struggling economy, marked by inflation, rising unemployment, and a lack of viable job opportunities, has pushed many individuals, particularly the younger generation, to seek better prospects abroad. With the promise of better wages, improved working conditions, and greater political stability, countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE have become increasingly attractive options for those looking to secure a better future.