Pakistani freelancers generated $175.439 million in foreign exchange during July 2026, marking a 45.5 percent year on year increase compared with $120.556 million recorded in July 2025. The latest figures from State Bank of Pakistan cover the first month of the new financial year 2026-27 and show continued growth in freelance services as an important source of foreign exchange for Pakistan. The increase represents an additional $54.883 million compared with the same month last year, reflecting higher earnings from both information technology and non-information technology freelance services.
Information technology services accounted for $106.778 million of total freelance earnings in July 2026, compared with $89.872 million during the same month a year earlier. Non-information technology services generated another $68.661 million, rising sharply from $30.684 million in July 2025. The figures show that while technology-related freelance work remains the larger contributor, non-information technology services also recorded a significant increase during the period. The combined performance resulted in freelance export receipts exceeding $175 million in the first month of the current financial year.
Pakistan Freelancers Association Chairman Ibrahim Amin said freelance export receipts had maintained a steady growth trajectory, although he noted that the sector would need to maintain growth of more than 50 percent during the coming months to achieve a substantial increase by the end of the financial year. He also highlighted freelancing as an important opportunity for young people and students seeking to earn through online work. According to Amin, freelancers need to develop in-demand technical and soft skills, including business development, communication and client management, to compete effectively on international freelancing platforms. Government and private sector organizations are also working to expand skills development opportunities and help young people acquire capabilities required for participation in the digital workforce.
The latest performance also comes as industry organizations increase efforts to recognize and support Pakistan’s growing freelance community. Pakistan Freelancers Association and Pakistan Software Export Board have jointly instituted the country’s first freelancers’ awards to recognize contributions made by freelancers to the economy and encourage greater participation in online work. The initiative is expected to bring additional attention to freelancing as a source of income for students, young professionals and other skilled workers. With July earnings already reaching $175.439 million, the sector has started fiscal year 2026-27 with higher foreign exchange receipts than the corresponding period last year. Continued growth will depend on the ability of freelancers to access international markets, develop relevant skills and maintain the pace of earnings recorded during the opening month of the financial year.
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