People & economy

Pakistan: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Pakistan: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
212,215,030
#5 of 197 countries
Area
796,095 km²
#38 of 248 countries
Density
266.6 / km²
#54 of 245 countries

Pakistan has a population of 212,215,030 spread across 796,095 km², giving it an average density of 266.6 people per km². It ranks among the 20 most populous countries in the world. This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
23.2
Life Expectancy
70.3 yrs
Literacy Rate
58.9%
Government
federal parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Pakistan is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 23% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$1,360
Cost of Living
23% of US
Inflation
30.8%
Inequality
29.6
Low
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$5,500
Unemployment
5.5%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 2.8% of Pakistan's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$765,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
2.8%
Air Passengers
7,153,419
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Pakistan there are 1.16 doctors per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
1.16/1k
Hospital Beds
0.63/1k
Health Spend
$30/person
Infant Mortality
50.1/1k
Immunization
86%
Safe Drinking Water
90.7%
Basic Sanitation
71.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Pakistan, 27% of the population uses the internet, so connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 77 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
27.4%
Mobile Subs
77/100
Broadband
1.4/100
Electricity Access
95.6%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data