FPSC (Federal Public Service Commission) · CSS (Central Superior Services)
Labour Force & Migration in Pakistan
People & Demographics of Pakistan
· Pakistan Studies/Affairs
50 MCQs
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of 50 MCQs
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1
As of the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024-25, what is the estimated total size of the labour force in Pakistan?
Answer:
75.5 Million
According to the latest Labour Force Survey data and Economic Survey for 2024-25, Pakistan's total labour force stands at approximately 75.5 million people. This makes Pakistan the 9th largest labour force in the world. The growth in the labour force is driven by a high population growth rate and a significant 'youth bulge,' requiring the state to generate nearly 1.5 to 2 million jobs annually to keep unemployment stable.
2
Which sector remains the largest employer of the labour force in Pakistan as of 2025?
Answer:
Agriculture
Despite its declining share in the GDP, the Agriculture sector remains the largest employer in Pakistan, absorbing approximately 37.4% of the total labour force. It is the backbone of the rural economy and provides a livelihood for the majority of the female labour force in rural areas. However, there is a gradual structural shift occurring as the Services sector is now closely following as the second largest employer.
3
Which country remains the top destination for Pakistani migrant workers seeking employment abroad in 2024-2025?
Answer:
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) continues to be the primary destination for Pakistani labour migration, hosting over 50% of the workers who went abroad in the 2024-2025 period. This migration is facilitated by various bilateral agreements and the 'Vision 2030' projects in KSA, which require a massive influx of construction, hospitality, and technical workers from Pakistan.
4
What is the primary function of the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) in Pakistan?
Answer:
To regulate the recruitment of Pakistanis for overseas employment
The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE) is a specialized regulatory body under the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. It regulates the recruitment process, licenses Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs), and ensures that the rights of Pakistani workers are protected through the 'Protector of Emigrants' mechanism before they depart for work abroad.
5
The total workers' remittances received by Pakistan in FY 2024-2025 were approximately in what range?
Answer:
$29 - $32 Billion
For the fiscal year 2024-2025, Pakistan's workers' remittances showed a resilient trend, hovering around the $30 billion mark (specifically projected between $29 and $32 billion based on SBP data). These remittances, primarily originating from KSA, UAE, UK, and USA, are the second most important source of foreign exchange after exports and are crucial for managing the Current Account Deficit.
6
Which province of Pakistan has the highest Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) according to recent surveys?
Answer:
Punjab
Punjab typically records the highest Labour Force Participation Rate among all provinces. This is attributed to its high population density, extensive agricultural plains, and a robust network of small and medium-sized industrial clusters. Punjab's diverse economic landscape allows for higher absorption of both skilled and unskilled labour compared to the more mountainous or arid regions of the other provinces.
7
What is the average 'Female Labour Force Participation Rate' in Pakistan, which remains one of the lowest in the region?
Answer:
21% - 25%
The Female Labour Force Participation Rate in Pakistan is approximately 21% to 25% as of 2024-2025. While this is an improvement from previous decades, it remains low due to cultural barriers, lack of safe transport, and the high burden of domestic unpaid work. The government has introduced initiatives like the 'Women Empowerment' policies and targeted vocational training to increase this rate to at least 40% in the long term.
8
Under which law is the emigration of Pakistani workers regulated to prevent exploitation?
Answer:
Emigration Ordinance 1979
The Emigration Ordinance of 1979 is the primary legal framework that governs the migration of Pakistani citizens for work purposes. It outlines the responsibilities of the government, the recruitment agents, and the rights of the workers. It also established the office of the Protector of Emigrants to ensure that every worker has a valid contract and insurance before leaving the country.
9
Which organization provides welfare services, including schools and housing schemes, specifically for the families of overseas Pakistani workers?
Answer:
Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF)
The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) was created to look after the welfare of the diaspora and their families back home. It is funded by a mandatory welfare fee paid by workers during the emigration process. OPF manages specialized schools, colleges, housing societies, and provides financial assistance to the families of deceased or disabled workers.
10
The term 'Brain Drain' in Pakistan refers to the high migration rate of which group in 2024-2025?
Answer:
Highly skilled professionals (Doctors, Engineers, IT experts)
Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in 'Brain Drain' in 2024 and 2025, with over 800,000 Pakistanis leaving the country in a single year, many of whom are highly skilled professionals. The migration of doctors, engineers, and software experts to Europe, North America, and the Gulf is driven by economic instability and the search for better career prospects, posing a long-term challenge to Pakistan's domestic human capital development.
11
What is the 'Minimum Wage' for unskilled workers in Pakistan for the fiscal year 2024-2025 (specifically for the federal and Punjab regions)?
Answer:
PKR 37,000
In the 2024-2025 budgets, the government increased the minimum wage for unskilled workers to PKR 37,000 per month. This increase was aimed at providing relief to low-income groups amidst high inflation. However, implementation remains a challenge, particularly in the informal sector where workers are often paid below the legal threshold.
12
What percentage of Pakistan's total employed labour force is estimated to be working in the 'Informal Sector' (excluding agriculture)?
Answer:
72%
According to the Labour Force Survey, the informal sector accounts for a massive 72% of non-agricultural employment in Pakistan. This includes street vendors, small-scale construction workers, and home-based workers. This sector is characterized by a lack of social security, no formal contracts, and low job security, making it highly vulnerable to economic shocks.
13
The 'Youth Unemployment Rate' in Pakistan is highest among which educational group in 2025?
Answer:
University graduates
A concerning trend in Pakistan's labour market is that the unemployment rate is highest among university graduates compared to those with less formal education. This is due to a 'mismatch' between the skills taught in higher education and the requirements of the modern industry, leading to thousands of overqualified individuals unable to find suitable jobs.
14
In 2025, which digital platform was integrated with BEOE to allow Pakistani workers to find overseas jobs directly?
The Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) has modernized its online portal to allow citizens to apply for government-to-government (G2G) jobs, such as those in South Korea and Japan, without the need for middlemen. This digital transformation in 2024-2025 has improved transparency and reduced the cost of migration for many workers.
15
Internal migration in Pakistan is primarily characterized by movement from where to where?
Answer:
Rural to Urban
Internal migration in Pakistan is dominated by the 'Rural to Urban' trend. Thousands move daily from villages to cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Faisalabad in search of better health, education, and higher-paying jobs in the industrial and services sectors. This has led to rapid urbanization and the emergence of massive 'katchi abadis' (slums) in the major cities.
16
Which international convention has Pakistan ratified to protect the rights of its workers against forced labour?
Answer:
ILO Convention No. 29
Pakistan is a signatory to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Forced Labour Convention (No. 29). The government is required to report on its progress in eliminating bonded labour and human trafficking. Compliance with ILO conventions is also a prerequisite for maintaining the GSP Plus status with the European Union.
17
The 'Roshan Digital Account' (RDA) has boosted workers' remittances by providing what unique benefit?
Answer:
Remote banking and digital investment in Pakistan
Launched in late 2020 and expanded through 2025, the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) allows Overseas Pakistanis to open and operate bank accounts in Pakistan from anywhere in the world. It provides a legal and efficient channel for remittances and offers high-yield investment options like 'Naya Pakistan Certificates,' which has been a major success in formalizing foreign exchange inflows.
18
Which skill category accounts for the largest group of Pakistanis migrating for work?
Answer:
Skilled and Unskilled
The majority of Pakistan's migrants fall into the 'Skilled' (electricians, masons, drivers) and 'Unskilled' (labourers) categories. While the government is pushing to increase the share of 'Highly Skilled' professionals to earn more foreign exchange per person, the bulk of the current migration flow is still towards the construction and logistics sectors of the Gulf region.
19
What is the 'Age Composition' of Pakistan's labour force in 2025?
Answer:
Predominantly young (64% below the age of 30)
Pakistan possesses a 'Young Labour Force,' with nearly two-thirds of the population and a huge chunk of the workforce being under the age of 30. This demographic dividend provides a massive window of economic opportunity if the youth are provided with quality education and skills, but it can also lead to social unrest if jobs are not created.
20
Which district in Pakistan is known to have the highest 'Emigration Rate' per capita?
Answer:
Swat / Lower Dir
Districts in the Malakand division, particularly Swat and Lower Dir, as well as several districts in the Mirpur division of Azad Kashmir, have historically high emigration rates. In these areas, migration is a tradition, and the local economy is almost entirely dependent on the remittances sent back by relatives working in Europe or the Middle East.
