In 2021, Access Partnership estimated that digital transformation, if leveraged fully, could create up to PKR 9.7 trillion in economic value for Pakistan by 2030. Much has changed since then. Digital technologies are poised to play an even greater role in Pakistan’s economic growth in years to come, particularly with the rising significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Our study finds that digital technologies will contribute significantly to Pakistan’s digital exports, with an additional USD 6.6 billion (PKR 1.8 trillion) in annual export value in 2030 gained by exports of mobile apps, online video services, cross-border digital ads, cross-border e-commerce, and other digital services. Furthermore, this number is expected to increase significantly if Pakistan implements enabling policies. Transitioning away from Pakistan’s past growth model, which is reliant on spending and debt, towards high-value sectors, especially digital exports, can help the country achieve long-term economic growth.
To grow the country’s digital exports, Pakistan needs a digitally skilled workforce. However, with 80% of IT graduates lacking relevant industry skills, Pakistan has a wide digital skills gap that must be addressed immediately.[1] Making digital skills training accessible (both online and offline) and leveraging education technologies to personalize learning and enable access to training on demand can enhance the learning experience and facilitate the acquisition of new skills by workers. This study finds that PKR 2.8 trillion of annual GDP in Pakistan can be added in 2030 by narrowing the digital skills gap through digital skills training and greater adoption of education technologies.
Google’s impact and commitment to a Future Forward Pakistan
Every day, Google provides businesses and individuals access to products and solutions that help Pakistanis capture opportunities that stem from digital exports and address the country’s digital skills gap.
Google’s AI-powered products and solutions have helped Pakistani businesses drive efficiency and grow at home and abroad. In 2023, Google Search, Google Ads, Google AdSense, Google Play, Google Cloud, and YouTube helped provide PKR 2.6 trillion of economic activity (+159% vs. 2020) for Pakistani businesses. Google also supported 864,600 jobs (+111% vs. 2020) by helping businesses expand through their use of Google products, with an additional 100,400 jobs supported by the Android app economy.
Google’s products and solutions are also changing the way Pakistanis access information, navigate, commute, and consume content. In the same year, Google products helped provide PKR 1.3 trillion of economic benefits (+526% vs. 2020) for Pakistani households. Beyond its products, Google actively supports the digital skilling efforts of Pakistani talents. The Google Career Certificates (GCC) offers nine self-paced courses based on today’s most in-demand skills, including business intelligence, data analytics, and e-commerce.[2] Designed to bridge Pakistan’s education and inequality gaps, the GCC provided 44,500 scholarships in 2023, with half going to women.[3]
Private sector partners, like Google, will continue to play a vital role in facilitating Pakistan’s growth. As a leading tech player, Google empowers businesses and households in Pakistan by providing access to AI-powered products and services and is driving positive economic and social change through its products and initiatives.
