In a recent survey, the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) investigated the statistics and reasons for people’s desire to leave or stay in Pakistan permanently.
According to the survey, the desire is strongest among young people aged 15 to 24, particularly young men, with at least 62 percent expressing a desire to leave the country.
According to the survey, the most common reason is economic. The pursuit of equal opportunity and greater respect are the next two major motivators. Seeking gender equality and improved security are also compelling reasons to leave the country.
Higher income appears to be the most motivating factor for both men and women of all ages, whereas gender equality is a stronger pull factor for women, particularly younger women.
Traveling abroad increases respect for both genders and all age groups.
‘Other’ causes become significant in the oldest age bracket for both genders, with survey data indicating that this is primarily due to children living abroad.
When trends across regions, provinces, and territories were examined, some very interesting reasons for wanting to leave the country emerged.
Moving abroad to gain more respect was an unexpected response compared to the desire for higher income and equal/better overall opportunities, which was a foregone conclusion.
The desire for respect is the second most common reason for wanting to leave the country (44%).
There is little difference between urban and rural Pakistan, proving once more that people in these two locations are very different.
A higher salary is important for everyone, but in Sindh and Balochistan, the desire for more respect trumps the desire for equal opportunities.
Sindh had the most people moving out for greater security, followed by Balochistan and AJK.
The most frequently mentioned reason for wanting to leave the country in KP was gender equality. GB has a sizable number of ‘other’ reasons, the majority of which are related to obtaining a better/higher education.
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