Pakistan Must Create 30 Million Jobs in 10 Years, Says World Bank President

KARACHI: Pakistan needs to generate up to 30 million jobs over the next decade to harness its young population as an economic asset, warns World Bank President Ajay Banga. Failure to do so could drive instability and skilled migration abroad.

Jobs: The North Star of Pakistan’s Growth Strategy

Banga highlighted that Pakistan faces a generational challenge: creating 2.5–3 million jobs per year to match the coming workforce surge.

“Job creation is the North Star,” Banga said during his visit to Karachi.

Pakistan’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) with the World Bank commits around $4 billion annually in public and private investment, emphasizing outcomes over traditional projects.

Private Sector: Engine of Employment

With 90% of jobs in Pakistan created by the private sector, Banga stressed the importance of:

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  Investment in human and physical infrastructure

  
  


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  Business-friendly reforms

  
  


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  Access to financing for small firms and farmers

  
  

Key job-growth sectors include infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, and small-scale agriculture, with farming alone potentially providing one-third of future employment.

Freelancers and Entrepreneurs: Untapped Potential

Pakistan’s growing freelance and entrepreneurial workforce could expand job creation if given better capital access, infrastructure, and support.

Brain Drain: Skilled Workers Leaving

Nearly 4,000 doctors emigrated in 2025, the highest on record, highlighting the urgency of improving job prospects and working conditions.

Power Sector Reform: The Immediate Priority

Banga called fixing Pakistan’s electricity sector critical, citing:

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  Distribution losses

  
  


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  Weak bill recovery

  
  


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  Debt and inefficiency

  
  

He warned that rapid rooftop solar adoption could destabilize the grid if reforms aren’t accelerated.

“Electricity is fundamental to everything—health, education, business, and jobs.”

Climate Resilience Must Be Mainstream

Banga urged Pakistan to integrate climate resilience into all development projects—housing, agriculture, water management—rather than treating it as a separate agenda.

“Just build resilience into what you’re already doing.”

Optimism Over Labels

Instead of seeing Pakistan as fragile or in crisis, Banga views the country as a long-term job-creation opportunity.

“We’re in the business of hope,” he said.