Pakistan’s ‘brain gain’ claim turns awkward as 29,000 doctors, engineers and accountants have left in two years

Official migration data shows a sharp outflow of skilled professionals even as authorities play down concerns over brain drain.

Pakistan is witnessing a sharp exodus of skilled professionals, with thousands of doctors, engineers and accountants leaving the country over the past two years, raising concerns about long-term economic and institutional capacity.

The trend stands in contrast to official claims that overseas migration represents a 'brain gain'.

Over the past 24 months Pak has lost 5000 doctors, 11000 engineers & 13000 accountants. Pak is also the 4th largest freelancing hub & with internet shutdowns causing losses of $1.62 billion, has put 2.37 million freelancing jobs at risk. Fix politics to fix the economy!…

— Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar (@mustafa_nawazk) December 26, 2025

According to official data from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE), Pakistan has lost around 5,000 doctors, 11,000 engineers and 13,000 accountants during 2024–25, reported The Express Tribune.

Migration numbers climb

The scale of migration is reflected in overall registrations for overseas employment. In 2024, about 727,381 Pakistanis registered to work abroad. In 2025, registrations had already touched 687,246 by November.

These are the official numbers of Pakistanis leaving Pakistan. Do look at the number in the Highly Qualified, Highly Skilled and Skilled columns since 2022. According to Field Martial Asim Munir this is “Brain Gain”. There is a reason Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi going to… pic.twitter.com/4DaUiIb3rx — Ahmed Ali Khan (@ahmedalikhan01) December 14, 2025

What is changing is the composition. The outflow is no longer dominated by low-skilled labour alone. Highly qualified and skilled professionals are leaving in growing numbers, signalling deeper structural stress in the domestic economy.

Healthcare hit the hardest

Healthcare has emerged as the most affected sector. Between 2011 and 2024, nurse migration from Pakistan rose by 2,144 percent, according to data cited by The Express Tribune. The trend has continued this year, adding pressure to an already stretched public health system.

Brain drain is real, and it is speeding up‼️ Approx 40,000 highly qualified 🇵🇰🇵🇰 have emigrated in last two years as Pakistan suffers from low economic growth and high inflation. We are losing a lot of innovative ideas and future leaders due to weak economic policies. pic.twitter.com/AiVbnSAFUT

— Abdul Rehman Najam (@ARNOfficiall) January 8, 2024

Doctors leaving in large numbers raise immediate concerns over service delivery, training pipelines and the sustainability of medical institutions.

‘Brain gain’ claim under scrutiny

The data has drawn attention because it clashes with remarks made by Army Chief Asim Munir, who described overseas migration as a 'brain gain' during an interaction with the Pakistani diaspora in the United States earlier this year.

MashaAllah - Field Marshal Asim Munir’s real “brain-gain” at work https://t.co/MCr1cyKvRRpic.twitter.com/qjNYmrPtaW — علی مصطفی | Ali Mustafa (@Ali_Mustafa) December 26, 2025

Former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar highlighted the emigration figures on social media, linking them to broader governance and economic challenges. He pointed to losses of $1.62 billion due to internet shutdowns in 2024, which he said put over 2.37 million freelancing jobs at risk.

Online criticism has grown, with many users contrasting official optimism with the steady departure of trained professionals.

Controls tighten, causes persist

The surge in migration has prompted the Shehbaz Sharif-led government to tighten airport controls. In 2025, 66,154 passengers were offloaded from Pakistani airports, nearly double the previous year, amid concerns over illegal travel and begging rackets.

Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi has announced restrictions on so-called professional beggars and travellers with incomplete documents. However, experts argue such measures address symptoms, not causes.

Why professionals are leaving

According to The Express Tribune, high inflation, economic instability, political uncertainty, weak governance and limited career pathways are pushing professionals abroad. Better pay, research opportunities and living standards overseas are pulling them away.

The report described Pakistan as a 'brain drain economy,' increasingly reliant on exporting the very talent it needs to rebuild growth and institutions.