Pakistan is facing a serious rise in unemployment, with the number of jobless people increasing by 31% over the last few years. The total unemployed population has gone up from 4.5 million in 2020–21 to 5.9 million in 2024–25.
This means an additional 1.4 million people are now without work, showing that the job market is becoming more difficult for many citizens.
The rise in unemployment has affected people of all age groups and both men and women, proving that the issue is spread across the entire workforce. One of the most worrying trends is the growing joblessness among young people.
For individuals aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate increased from 11.1% to 12.6% during this period. This suggests that fresh graduates and young jobseekers are struggling more than ever to find employment opportunities.
Government officials, including the Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, have expressed concern over this situation. They emphasized that Pakistan urgently needs new job creation programs, better skills training, and stronger policies that can support the labour market.
Without such steps, unemployment may continue to rise, creating more financial pressure on families and slowing down economic progress.
Experts believe that improving access to technical skills, supporting small businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship, and attracting investment can help reduce unemployment.
However, these efforts require long-term planning and consistent implementation. As the job market becomes more competitive, both the government and private sector must work together to create opportunities for millions of Pakistanis who are looking for stable work.
