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Pakistan Doctors Flee: 4,000 Emigrate in Record Exodus
9 Feb
Summary
- Record 4,000 doctors emigrated from Pakistan in 2025, highest ever.
- Pakistan produces 22,000 doctors annually, yet faces a shortage.
- Societal and work conditions deter 35% of women doctors from practicing.
In 2025, Pakistan witnessed an unprecedented exodus of medical professionals, with around 4,000 doctors formally emigrating. This marks a historic peak in migration, exacerbating the nation's healthcare challenges. Pakistan produces an estimated 22,000 new doctors each year, yet the actively practicing number falls short of meeting the World Health Organization's benchmark.
A significant factor contributing to the crisis is the high number of women doctors who do not practice. A 2023 survey indicated that 35% of female physicians are not in the workforce due to societal judgments and difficult working conditions, including concerns about nighttime transportation.
Furthermore, low salaries, demanding work conditions, and a lack of interest from successive governments in addressing doctors' concerns have fueled frustration. The concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas overwhelms these centers and forces patients to travel long distances. Limited access to advanced infrastructure and research facilities also discourages professionals from staying, as they seek more technologically advanced healthcare ecosystems abroad.
