A recent survey has revealed that the majority of Pakistani youth, 74%, are not inclined to leave the country for better prospects abroad. Instead, they express a strong desire to stay and contribute to Pakistan’s development.
The Ipsos Pakistan survey challenges the perception that most Pakistani youth are eager to emigrate for a brighter future, revealing that two-thirds of the youth want to stay in Pakistan.
Key findings
The survey, conducted between September 20 and 27, gathered responses from 1,600 individuals aged 18 to 34 across Pakistan. Only 26% of the youth expressed a desire to move abroad for better opportunities, with a significant portion coming from urban and privileged backgrounds.
Among those looking to leave:
- 46% hail from Islamabad.
- 35% are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
- 27% are from Punjab, 21% from Balochistan, and 20% from Sindh.
Preferred destinations for those aiming to emigrate include Saudi Arabia (30%), Dubai (20%), the UK (9%), the US and Canada (8%), and Europe (5%).
Class divide
The survey highlighted a significant class disparity. Among youth from privileged backgrounds, 36% are eager to leave the country, compared to 23% of those from working-class or underprivileged communities.
The findings suggest that the majority of Pakistani youth are committed to staying in their homeland and playing an active role in its progress.
