Poverty rate rises to 28.9% in Pakistan, economic survey shows

Pakistan’s poverty rate increased to 28. 9 percent in fiscal year 2024-25, up from 21. 9 percent in 2018-19, according to the National Economic Survey 2025-26. The survey, released ahead of the federal budget, highlighted a rise in poverty levels across both urban and rural areas of the country over the past several years. According to the report, the poverty rate in urban areas increased from 11 percent in 2018-19 to 17. 4 percent in 2024-25. In rural areas, the poverty rate rose from 28. 2 percent to 36. 2 percent during the same period. The survey also provided a provincial breakdown of poverty levels, showing significant variations across the country. Punjab recorded a poverty rate of 23. 3 percent, the lowest among the four provinces, while Sindh’s poverty rate stood at 32. 6 percent. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the poverty rate was recorded at 35. 3 percent, while Balochistan had the highest poverty rate at 47 percent, according to the survey. The report defined the poverty threshold as a monthly income of less than Rs8, 484 per person. The findings underscore the economic challenges facing households across the country amid inflationary pressures, income constraints and rising living costs. The National Economic Survey 2025-26 provides a comprehensive overview of Pakistan’s economic and social indicators and serves as a key reference document ahead of the presentation of the federal budget. Reporter: Waqas Azeem

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