Pakistan: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Pakistan — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

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 — Pakistan has 1.16 physicians 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 — 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