Pakistani freelancers earn record $1.76 Billion in FY26

KARACHI
Pakistani freelancers earned a record $1.76 billion in foreign exchange during the outgoing fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 78 per cent increase over the $984 million recorded in FY25, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The data showed that IT freelancers contributed more than $1.16 billion during FY26, compared with $779 million in the previous fiscal year, reflecting an increase of 49 per cent, or $385 million. Export earnings generated by non-IT freelancers surged to $592 million in FY26 from $205 million in FY25, registering a remarkable 188 per cent increase, or $387 million, during the period.
Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin said freelancers make a significant contribution to Pakistan’s economy by strengthening key macroeconomic indicators, particularly through foreign exchange earnings and tax contributions.
He added that Pakistan’s freelancing community has emerged as a key driver of economic growth, with its export earnings surpassing those of several traditional sectors within just a few years.
“Pakistani freelancers are not only improving their own livelihoods through talent and hard work, but are also contributing to the development of a more productive, skilled and digitally empowered workforce,” he said.
According to industry estimates, Pakistan is home to nearly three million full-time and part-time freelancers, making it the world’s fourth-largest freelancing workforce.
PAFLA President & CEO Dr Imran Batada stressed the need to expand digital skills training programmes to equip young people with the skills required to work on global freelancing and digital platforms, saying this would help reduce unemployment and poverty while increasing export earnings. He added that PAFLA plans to expand free digital skills training to thousands more young Pakistanis over the coming year, with a particular focus on emerging areas such as AI and data analytics.
“Pakistan’s skilled workforce is one of our greatest national assets,” Dr Batada said. “We are urging freelancers to think beyond individual gigs and evolve into startups or registered companies, while continuously upgrading their expertise in emerging, high-demand technologies. This is how we turn a generation of talented individuals into a lasting digital economy.”
Dr Batada also appreciated the government’s continued support for the freelancing sector through favourable tax policies and the introduction of various skills development and training initiatives, which he said would further accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy.