PAKISTANI LABOR MIGRATION TO SAUDI ARABIA: THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF REMITTANCE INFLOWS (2015-2025)

Abstract

Taking Pakistani workers mobility to Saudi Arabia, this research aims to explore patterns and trends of workers’ migration; and socio-economic effects of remittances inflows in the receiving country between 2015-2025. The researchers have used secondary sources and data from the Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BE&OE) and State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). This research explores how trends in migration have changed over time and how remittances contribute to the socio-economic growth of the country. Findings indicated that total migration has had many fluctuations with major declines from 2017-2018 and also from 2020. Following by these declines, remittance inflows significantly increased each year up to 2025, indicating an expected peak in total migration to Saudi Arabia. A sub-analysis of the data demonstrated that majority of the people from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, migrated for overseas employment relative to the people from other provinces/regions. In terms of remittances, there is an overall positive upward trend in workers’ remittances from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, Overall, workers’ remittances showed a positive impact on socio-economic development in the receiving country. The trend line demonstrates that the number of remittances is also influenced by cyclical fluctuations due to external economic factors, as well as workers’ demand in the Saudi Arabian labor market and external shocks such as COVID-19. Undocumented flows