Last updated: October 13, 2026
Headlines say Pakistan’s freelancers earned a record $1.76 billion last year. Other headlines say $1.1 billion. Which one is right? And what does it mean for you, if you are just starting?
The short answer: both numbers appear in reports, and they measure slightly different things. The more important lesson is what the numbers do not tell you. Let us go through them one by one.
The Big Number: $1.76 Billion
According to State Bank of Pakistan data reported by Profit (Pakistan Today) in July 2026, Pakistan’s freelancers earned $1.76 billion in foreign exchange in FY2025-26 (July 2025 to June 2026). That is up 78% from about $984 million in the year before.
- IT freelancers: more than $1.16 billion, up from $779 million.
- Non-IT freelancers: $592 million, up 188% from $205 million.
The non-IT part grew fastest. The report does not list which skills fall in this group.
Why Do You Also See $1.1 Billion?
The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) announced its first Top Freelancer Award in July 2026. In that coverage, freelancers were said to have contributed more than $1.1 billion to Pakistan’s record $4.6 billion of IT and IT-enabled services exports.
That figure is about the same as the IT freelancers’ share in the State Bank numbers ($1.16 billion). So the two numbers most likely describe the same IT part of the picture, while $1.76 billion includes non-IT freelancers as well. The reports do not say this in so many words, so treat it as our reading, not an official statement.
The Reality Check: What Does It Mean Per Person?
Industry estimates reported in the news say Pakistan has about 2.5 to 3 million freelancers, full-time and part-time together. Bloom Pakistan used that estimate to work out an average of more than $53 per freelancer per month in FY2025-26, up from about $12 in FY2020-21.
Read that carefully:
- It is a rough average, not what a typical beginner earns.
- It includes people who freelance a few hours a week.
- A small group of experienced freelancers earns far more, which pulls the average up.
- It shows a clear direction: the average has grown a lot in five years.
Anyone who tells you that a beginner will “easily” earn a fixed amount in 30 days is not being honest. We do not promise income on this site.
What This Means for a Beginner
- The market is real and growing. Foreign earnings from freelancers have grown more than fourfold in five years, according to an official quoted in news reports.
- Skills matter a lot for your income. Pick one skill and get good at it. See our list of 10 free skills to learn online.
- Start small and be patient. Early months are usually about learning, a portfolio and your first reviews. Our 30-day beginner plan explains this.
- Use formal channels. The PSEB award is open only to registered freelancers who received export income through formal banking channels and hold Proceeds Realisation Certificates (PRCs). Even if you never apply for an award, keeping your income records clean helps you later.
What About Tax?
The reports mention that freelancers are unhappy about taxes and want clearer rules. Tax rules change and depend on your situation, so we do not give tax advice here. Check the official FBR and PSEB websites, or ask a registered tax professional, before you start earning regularly.
About the Top Freelancer Award
- It is run by PSEB as part of the PSEB IT Export Awards 2026.
- Applicants had to be registered freelancers with PRCs for income between July 2025 and June 2026, and sign an undertaking that their information is genuine.
- Nominations closed in August 2026, so it is not open now. It still shows that the state is starting to recognise freelancers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $1.76 billion or $1.1 billion the correct number?
Both appear in reports. $1.76 billion is the total freelancer earnings in State Bank data. $1.1 billion is the freelancers’ share of IT exports in PSEB coverage. They are not in conflict, they describe different scopes.
Can I earn $53 a month as a beginner?
That number is a rough average across millions of part-time and full-time freelancers. Your result depends on your skill, time and clients. Nobody can promise it.
How many freelancers are there in Pakistan?
Industry estimates say nearly 3 million, or between 2.5 and 3 million. There is no single official count in the reports we read.
Where do I start?
Pick one skill, learn it free, and build two or three sample projects. Then try a platform like Fiverr or Upwork, following their rules. Read our Fiverr gig guide for the steps.
Final Words
Big numbers can inspire you, but real progress comes from daily practice. Use the data as encouragement, not as a promise. For more practical guides on online earning in Pakistan, keep visiting EarnExpertHub.
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