We Have the Talent. So Where Is the Technology? Pakistan just ranked 16th out of 193 countries for tech talent, ahead of Germany, France, and China. On the same index, its infrastructure score is 30 out of 100 — tied with Nigeria. That 67-point gap between what our people can do and what our institutions give them to do it with is the real story of Pakistani technology in 2026.

Abstract

Ataraxis Management's 2026 Global Outsourcing Talent Index ranked Pakistan 16th out of 193 countries — ahead of the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and China. The country scored 80 out of 100 on talent availability, 8th globally, and a striking 97 out of 100 on cost competitiveness, marginally beating even India. This is a genuinely remarkable result for a country of Pakistan's income level, built on self-taught skill in AI, blockchain, and digital services and a young workforce that has learned to compete globally with minimal institutional support. It is the kind of ranking that should be a national talking point for months.