For decades now, Pakistan has been struggling with an unabated issue of brain-drain, a phenomenon that refers to the emigration of highly skilled and educated individuals from their home country for better prospects abroad. This phenomenon has been a significant challenge for the country’s development and progress.
The consequences of this brain-drain are far-reaching and have already started to harm the country’s future outlook. The country is gradually losing its best and brightest minds, who are seeking better opportunities and working conditions in foreign lands. This has led to a severe shortage of skilled workers in many sectors, including healthcare, education and engineering, among others.
As per the statistics issued by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the country annually produces 32,879 doctors and at least 40 per cent of them settle abroad following completion of their professional degrees. At present, the country has 20,000 specialists. However, half of them have acquired nationality of other countries.
According to the PBS, in 2022, no less than 765,000 workers, many of them educated, left the country – which makes an alarming number as compared with 2021, when 225,000 workers emigrated, and 2020 when 288,000 workers opted to leave the country. Of these, 765,000 workers, 92,000 were highly educated professionals with degrees in medicine and technology, etc. More than 92,000 graduates, 350,000 trained workers, and the same number of untrained labourers were among those who departed the country last year. Among the educated youth who were emigrating were 5,534 engineers, 18,000 associate electrical engineers, 2,500 physicians, 2,000 computer experts, 6,500 accountants, 2,600 agricultural experts, over 900 instructors, 12,000 computer operators, 1,600 nurses, and 21,517 technicians. Some 213,000 drivers were also among the unskilled employees who left the country. The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment has reported that, since it was established in 1971, over 10 million citizens have left the country – for more rewarding financial and professional prospects abroad. Research shows that brain-drain generates a decrease in the intellectual capital of the country of origin, while increasing political instability and divisions. Some may argue that remittances and direct transactions from our human resource abroad is helpful, but this benefit is very little in the face of the overall socioeconomic deprivation. The root causes of brain drain are complex and multifaceted. One major contributing factor is the lack of opportunities for professional growth and development in Pakistan. Many talented individuals feel constrained by the limited opportunities available in their home country and choose to seek better prospects abroad. Another factor contributing to brain-drain is the political and economic instability in Pakistan. The ongoing political uncertainty coupled with rising unemployment rates and inflation has made it difficult for young professionals to build a stable career and future in their home country.
The brain drain phenomenon is a significant concern for Pakistan’s future. If the country continues to lose its best and brightest minds, it will face serious challenges in terms of economic development, technological innovation, and scientific progress. This, in turn, will have a negative impact on the country’s ability to compete globally and attract foreign investment. To address this issue, the Pakistani government must take concrete steps to improve the country’s economic and political stability, invest in education and research, and create more opportunities for professional growth and development.
