Federal Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja announced on Saturday that Pakistan has reached a notable milestone in the global technology and outsourcing arena by ranking 16th out of 193 countries in the 2026 Global Outsourcing Talent Index compiled by Ataraxis.
The minister emphasized that Pakistan now ranks within the top nine percent worldwide for outsourcing talent competitiveness, showcasing robust expansion in the nation’s digital workforce and technology ecosystem. This achievement reflects the country’s growing prominence in the global tech landscape.
Pakistan has outperformed several significant regional and international economies in the index, including China, which placed 37th, Vietnam at 32nd, and Colombia at 31st. Notably, Pakistan also surpassed several Western European nations such as Germany (84th), France (73rd), Spain (49th), and the United Kingdom (29th).
In a significant development, Pakistan earned a talent score of 80 out of 100, ranking 8th globally on this specific measure that assesses workforce capability, adaptability, and outsourcing potential. This score highlights the strength of Pakistan’s human capital in the tech sector.
Furthermore, the minister pointed out that Pakistan’s ranking exceeds that of all European Union member states included in the index, as well as countries in the Middle East and every African nation evaluated in the report.
Highlighting the country’s progress, Shaza Fatima Khawaja noted that Pakistan’s technology and outsourcing sector is expanding at an average annual rate of nearly 20 percent. She described this growth as clear evidence of the resilience and dynamism of the national technology ecosystem.
Officials attribute this improvement to growing international confidence in Pakistan’s skilled workforce, especially in IT services, software development, and digital outsourcing industries, which have become vital contributors to export revenues in recent years.
The government has prioritized expanding digital infrastructure, promoting IT exports, and supporting freelancers and tech startups as part of a broader strategy for economic transformation.
Meanwhile, this latest ranking is expected to enhance Pakistan’s reputation as an emerging global outsourcing hub, particularly as international companies seek to diversify their technology talent pools beyond traditional markets.
