According to a recent report, Pakistan ranks as the 5th most populous country globally, boasting a total population of 241.49 million and an annual growth rate of 2.55%.
The report highlights Pakistan’s first-ever digital census, facilitated through collaboration among various institutions and leveraging the expertise of NADRA in developing essential software. Key findings from the Digital Census reveal that Punjab leads with 127.69 million inhabitants, followed by Sindh with 55.7 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 40.86 million, Balochistan with 14.89 million, and Islamabad with 2.36 million.
Karachi emerges as the most populous city with 20.4 million residents, followed by Lahore (13 million), Peshawar (4.76 million), and Quetta (2.59 million).
Minister for Planning and Development, Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized the transparency achieved through technology in conducting the digital census, underscoring the collaborative efforts that ensured its successful implementation.
Pakistan’s overall population growth rate stands at 2.55%, varying across provinces: 2.38% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 3.2% in Balochistan, 2.53% in Punjab, and 2.57% in Sindh. The gender composition reveals 51.48% male and 48.51% female population distribution.
With one of the highest growth rates in the region, Pakistan ranks 191st globally in population growth and is projected to double its population by 2050 if current trends persist. The age demographic indicates a youthful population, with 79% under the age of 40 and 40.56% under 15, presenting both opportunities and challenges for national development.
Rural areas host 61.12% of the population, while 39% reside in urban areas. Sindh has the highest urban population share at 54%, contrasting with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s 15%. Religiously, Muslims constitute 96.35%, with Hindus (1.61%), Christians (1.37%), and scheduled castes (0.56%) comprising the minority groups. Sindh houses the majority of minorities, totaling 8.7 million individuals, primarily Hindus (44.09%) and Christians (37.63%).
Regarding literacy, 61% of individuals aged 10 and above are literate, with Islamabad leading at 84%, followed by Punjab (66%), Sindh (58%), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (51%), and Balochistan (42%). However, 25.37 million children aged 5-16 remain out of school, highlighting challenges in educational accessibility.
