According to the World Bank, in 2024, the youth unemployment rate (ages 15–24) in Pakistan reached 9.86%. This means that almost one in ten young people cannot find a job, even though they are willing and actively seeking one.
Pakistan is one of the youngest countries in the world: a significant part of its population is under the age of 30. However, an economic structure faces a challenge of labour market being unable to adapt to the influx of young people entering it every year.
This situation puts immense pressure on young people, especially university and technical specialties graduates, who cannot find use for their skills in the current economy. Russia’s most efficient Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Alabuga offers its own solution to the problem: the international employment programme Alabuga Start.
A BRIDGE OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PAKISTANI YOUTH
Today’s Pakistan stands on the threshold of sweeping socio-economic change. On one hand, the country has powerful demographic potential: more than 64% of its population is under 30, making it one of the “youngest“ countries in Asia. On the other hand, unemployment among graduates, especially among women, remains a pressing issue.
In this context, initiatives offering employment abroad are particularly appealing —not only do they provide experience, but also open a gateway into professional ecosystems of other countries. With its industrial capacity and academic ties to Pakistan, Russia could become such a destination.
“Relations between our countries are friendly. Bilateral cooperation in various areas and coordinated efforts to address many pressing issues on the regional agenda yield positive results,”notedVladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
The Republic of Tatarstan has long been recognized as one of Russia’s technological centres. It is home to Alabuga, Russia’s most effective Special Economic Zone, which already hosts around 40 international companies. The resident factories produce everything: from automotive components to general-purpose hygiene products.
Moreover, Alabuga SEZ is developing social infrastructure — building educational centres, hostel complexes for its employees, and more. This has created a strong demand for personnel across diverse fields, from technical roles (e.g., production operators) to service sectors (e.g., catering). To address this labour shortage, Alabuga SEZ launched the Alabuga Start programme.
This international initiative is designed for young women aged 18–22 who have completed secondary school and are eager to explore technical professions. Its main goal is to give young women the opportunity to build a career from the ground up, acquiring both professional skills and international experience.
The programme is open to the girls who have completed at least basic secondary education (equivalent to Grade 9 in the Russian system). This age was chosen for a reason: participants are old enough to make decisions about their own lives, yet still flexible enough to quickly adapt to new environment, language, and profession.
According to Alabuga SEZ representatives, the selection process takes place online: an application on the website, an interview with an HR specialist, a test on 100 Russian words (a list is provided on the website), and completing a business simulation. The next step is receiving an official job offer for employment in Russia. Alabuga covers the ticket to Russia and medical insurance costs. Besides, employees have the opportunity to live in modern corporate hostels at a reduced rate.
Since the Alabuga Start programme is an officially recognized and government-supported employment initiative of the Russian Federation, 61quotas have been allocated specifically for Pakistani citizens under the quota of the Ministry of Labour. The programme also holds formal authorization from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation to hire foreign workers, along with supporting documents from the Federal Tax Service.
“I SAW THE ALABUGA ADVERTISEMENT — AND IT WAS A SURPRISE”
The stories of the programme participants sound like documentary scripts about change.For example, 20-year-old Oceanne Stacy from Cameroon first heard about the programme from her elder sister, and later saw an advertisement on the Internet.
“So I decided to sign in… We have an application for learning the Russian language, also Russian classes. So it’s not difficult for me,”shares Oceanne.
Her first days after arrival were focused on adaptation: the participant was met at Kazan International Airport (in the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan), assisted with settling into corporate housing, and guided through the document process.
Also, soon after arrival, she began intensive Russian language classes. Participants have classes with qualified mentors3-4 days per week, focusing on conversational practice. They master technical terminology, how to read work instructions, and how to communicate on the factory floor. Within six months, many can handle daily life independently, and upon completing the intensive classes, they receive a certificate confirming their language proficiency.
GAINING INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE WHILE PRESERVING IDENTITY
Pakistan faces strategic crossroads. Over the next decade, more than 25 million young people will enter the labour market — and the vector where they apply their energy will shape the nation’s future.
With the current youth unemployment rate and a rising number of graduates, the government and society must adopt new approaches — not only to create jobs, but also to open pathways for international mobility and professional exchange.
Programmes like Alabuga Start are becoming a part of this solution. For young Pakistani women, such initiatives offer a chance to overcome traditional barriers and gain experience that is still unavailable at home.
This is more than just an opportunity to earn money— it is a chance to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and show that a woman can be an engineer, a technician, or a manager while proudly preserving her culture, language, and identity.
Moreover, Pakistan’s international participation in such programmes assists cultural exchange and strengthens trust between nations.
Young participants become a kind of ambassadorsfor their country — sharing Pakistani culture and traditions while becoming acquainted withthe other country that values diligence, precision, and responsibility.
In a long term, this cooperation could evolve into systemic partnerships: specialists exchange, joint technological parks, and programmes for training qualified personnel and managers of the new generation.
And perhaps, in a few years, when one of these young women who gained unique experience at Alabuga Start launches her own start-up in Lahore or Islamabad, itwill be possible to saythat these initiatives were the first step towards a new social contract between specialized training of personnel and the economy.
