Pakistan’s IT freelancers cross $1 billion export earnings mark in 11 months

Pakistan’s IT freelancers earned more than $1.06 billion during July-May FY2025-26, crossing the $1 billion mark for the first time and raising their share in total IT exports to 25%, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data.

Freelance earnings from IT and related services rose 49.7% from $708 million in the same period last year.

Pakistan’s total IT exports reached $4 billion during the period, with freelancers accounting for a larger share than the 20.3% recorded in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.

Pakistan is estimated to have nearly three million freelancers, including full-time and part-time professionals, making it one of the largest freelance markets globally.

The SBP data also showed that Pakistan also received another $533 million through non-IT freelance services during the first 11 months of FY2025-26, taking total freelance foreign exchange earnings to nearly $1.6 billion.

Industry experts linked the growth to wider adoption of freelancing among young professionals, rising international demand for Pakistani digital services and government measures aimed at facilitating freelancers.

They said simplified reporting requirements, improved banking channels, and greater flexibility in managing foreign currency earnings had encouraged more freelancers to route export receipts through formal financial channels.

However, some industry participants have questioned whether part of the rise reflects companies classifying employees as freelancers to benefit from tax concessions.

Pakistan Freelancers Association Chairman Ibrahim Amin described the crossing of the $1 billion mark as a major development for the country’s freelance community.

He said freelancers could generate up to $3 billion annually in export earnings over the next few years if they were provided a supportive policy environment.