Pakistani freelancers earn $175 million in July 2026

Pakistani freelancers earned more than $175 million in foreign exchange in July 2026, a 45.5% rise from the same month last year. The State Bank of Pakistan released the figures on Wednesday, pointing to the growing role of digital work in the country's economy.

How much do Pakistani freelancers earn?

Freelance export receipts reached $175.439 million in July 2026, up from $120.556 million in July 2025, according to State Bank of Pakistan data. That marks an increase of $54.883 million over the year, continuing a steady growth trend in Pakistan's freelance sector.

Which sectors drove the growth?

IT services accounted for $106.778 million of July's earnings, up from $89.872 million a year earlier. Non-IT services rose sharply to $68.661 million from $30.684 million over the same period, SBP data showed. Both categories posted gains, but non-IT services grew at a faster pace.

What do industry leaders say about the trend?

Ibrahim Amin, chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers Association, said freelance export receipts had maintained a steady growth trajectory. He stressed that the sector would need to sustain growth of more than 50% in the coming months to achieve a substantial increase by the end of the financial year.

Amin said freelancing offered one of the best opportunities for young people and students to earn income online. He added that they needed to develop in-demand technical and soft skills, including business development, communication and client management, to compete on international freelancing platforms.

What support is available for freelancers in Pakistan?

Amin said the government and private sector had been working to provide skills development opportunities, helping young people and students enter the digital workforce. He also pointed to the first-time announcement of separate freelancers' awards by PAFLA and the Pakistan Software Export Board as a step toward recognizing freelancers' contributions.

"These initiatives would motivate students and young people to adopt freelancing and other forms of online work as viable sources of income while contributing to the country's foreign exchange earnings," he said.