Pakistan freelancers earn record $3.2B in three years
FY26 earnings reached record $1.76 billion as country's digital workforce continues to expand despite slow internet connectivity
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — Freelancers in Pakistan earned more than $3.2 billion in foreign exchange over the past three fiscal years, highlighting the sector’s growing contribution to the economy despite persistent challenges including slow internet connectivity and power outages.
Official data showed freelance export earnings rose from $505 million in FY24 to $984 million in FY25 before reaching a record $1.76 billion in FY26, reflecting the rapid expansion of Pakistan’s digital workforce as more professionals turned to online work and earned in foreign currency, Business Recorder reported.
The freelancing ecosystem has also benefited from government measures, including policies allowing freelancers to maintain foreign currency bank accounts, preferential tax treatment and access to free online training programs aimed at improving digital skills.
Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) Chairman Ibrahim Amin said freelancers were making a significant contribution to the national economy by strengthening key macroeconomic indicators, particularly through foreign exchange earnings and tax contributions.
He said Pakistan’s freelancing community had become a major driver of economic growth, with export earnings surpassing those of several traditional sectors in 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,” Amin said.
According to industry estimates, Pakistan has nearly three million full-time and part-time freelancers, making it the world’s fourth-largest freelancing workforce.
PAFLA President Dr. Imran Batada called for expanding digital skills training programs to equip young people with the expertise needed to compete on global freelancing and digital platforms, saying such efforts would help reduce unemployment, alleviate poverty and increase export earnings.
He said Pakistan’s skilled workforce remains one of the country’s greatest strengths and urged freelancers to expand their operations by transforming into startups or registered companies while continuing to build expertise in emerging and high-demand technologies.
Batada also welcomed the government’s continued support for the freelancing sector through tax policies and skills development initiatives, saying they would further accelerate the growth of Pakistan’s digital economy.
According to State Bank of Pakistan data, freelancers earned a record $1.76 billion in foreign exchange during FY26, up 78% from $984 million in FY25.
The data showed IT freelancers generated more than $1.16 billion in export earnings during FY26, compared with $779 million a year earlier, an increase of 49%, or $385 million.
Export earnings by non-IT freelancers climbed to $592 million in FY26 from $205 million in FY25, marking an increase of 188%, or $387 million.
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