Pakistani freelancers generated $175.439 million in foreign exchange through freelance services during July 2026, marking a 45.5% increase compared with the same month last year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The figure represents the first month of the current financial year and highlights the growing contribution of online freelance work to Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings.
Freelance export receipts stood at $120.556 million in July 2025, meaning earnings increased by $54.883 million year-on-year during July 2026. The latest figures indicate continued expansion in Pakistan’s freelance economy, with both information technology and non-IT services contributing to the increase in export receipts.
According to the SBP data, IT-related freelance services generated $106.778 million during July 2026, compared with $89.872 million in the same month of the previous year. This represents an increase of $16.906 million and reinforces the role of technology-related freelance work in generating foreign currency for the country.
Non-IT freelance services recorded an even larger year-on-year increase. Receipts from these services reached $68.661 million in July 2026, compared with $30.684 million in July 2025. The increase of $37.977 million indicates that Pakistan’s freelance export base is expanding beyond conventional technology services and includes a wider range of online professional activities.
The latest performance comes amid growing attention toward freelancing as a source of income for young people and students in Pakistan. Ibrahim Amin, Chairman of the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), said freelance export receipts had maintained a steady growth trajectory. However, he noted that the sector would need to maintain growth of more than 50% in the coming months if it is to achieve a substantial increase by the end of the financial year.
Amin described freelancing as one of the strongest avenues for young people and students seeking to earn through online work. He said individuals looking to compete on international freelancing platforms would need to develop technical and soft skills that are in demand, including business development, communication and client management.
The PAFLA chairman also pointed to ongoing efforts by the government and private sector to expand skills development opportunities for young people. Such programmes are aimed at helping individuals acquire the expertise required to participate in the digital workforce and access international online employment opportunities.
The growing freelance sector is also being supported through initiatives aimed at recognising the contribution of freelancers to Pakistan’s economy. Amin noted that the first-ever freelancers’ awards, jointly instituted by PAFLA and the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), are expected to recognise freelancers’ contribution and encourage more young people to consider opportunities in the digital economy.
According to Amin, initiatives of this nature could encourage students and young professionals to pursue freelancing and other forms of online work as sustainable sources of income. At the same time, an expansion in freelance exports can contribute to Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings as workers provide services to clients and businesses in international markets.
The July figures also underline the changing composition of Pakistan’s freelance export earnings. While IT services remained the larger contributor with receipts exceeding $106 million, non-IT services recorded a much stronger year-on-year rise in absolute terms during the month. This suggests that the country’s online services sector is becoming broader as more professionals participate in international digital work.
With freelance receipts beginning the new financial year at $175.439 million, sustained growth throughout the coming months could further increase the sector’s contribution to Pakistan’s external earnings. The pace of expansion, however, will depend on continued demand for Pakistani freelance services, skills development and the ability of workers to compete effectively on international platforms.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.