World · permanent entity record · PK
Pakistan
Thirty-second orientation
Pakistan at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Pakistani(s); adjective: Pakistani
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- federal parliamentary republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Languages
- Punjabi 38.8%, Pashto (alternate name, Pashtu) 18.2%, Sindhi 14.6%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 12.2%, Urdu 7.1%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2.4%, Brahui 1.2%, other 2.4%
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Pakistan through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Pakistan became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 255,219,554World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 257,047,044 (2025 est.) male: 130,727,015 female: 126,320,029CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $407.3 billion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $1,596
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 67.8 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 39.5%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 95.7%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 57.3%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Islamabad
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 796,095 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 255,219,554
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Pakistani rupees (PKR)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- Languages
- Punjabi 38.8%, Pashto (alternate name, Pashtu) 18.2%, Sindhi 14.6%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 12.2%, Urdu 7.1%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2.4%, Brahui 1.2%, other 2.4%
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Pakistani(s); adjective: Pakistani
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Government
- federal parliamentary republic
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
- Continent
- Asia
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “South Asia.”
- Coastline
- 1,046 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Religions
- Muslim 96.4%, Hindu 1.6%, Christian 1.4%; less than 1%: scheduled castes, Qadiani/Ahmadi, other, Sikh. (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- green, white
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- five-pointed star between the horns of a waxing crescent moon, jasmine
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) · 28,251 ft (8,611 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Arabian Sea · 0 ft (0 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- Background
- The Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest in the world and dating back at least 5,000 years, spread over much of modern-day Pakistan. During the second millennium B.C., remnants of this culture fused with the migrating Indo-Aryan peoples. The area underwent successive invasions in subsequent centuries from the Persians, Greeks, Scythians, Arabs (who brought Islam), Afghans, and Turks. The Mughal Empire flourished in the 16th and 17th centuries; the British came to dominate the region in the 18th century. The partition in 1947 of British India into the Muslim state of Pakistan (with West and East sections) and largely Hindu India created lasting tension between the two countries. They have fought two wars and a limited conflict -- in 1947-48, 1965, and 1999 respectively -- over the Kashmir territory, a dispute that continues to this day. A third war in 1971 -- in which India assisted an indigenous movement reacting to Bengali marginalization in Pakistani politics -- resulted in East Pakistan becoming the separate nation of Bangladesh. In response to Indian nuclear weapons testing, Pakistan conducted its own tests in 1998. Pakistan has been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict with militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant networks that target government institutions and civilians.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography20 fields
- Location
- Southern Asia, bordering the Arabian Sea, between India on the east and Iran and Afghanistan on the west and China in the north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 796,095 sq km land: 770,875 sq km water: 25,220 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly more than five times the size of Georgia; slightly less than twice the size of California
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 7,257 km border countries (4): Afghanistan 2,670 km; China 438 km; India 3,190 km; Iran 959 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maritime claims
- territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- divided into three major geographic areas: the northern highlands, the Indus River plain in the center and east, and the Balochistan Plateau in the south and west
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 m mean elevation: 900 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- arable land, extensive natural gas reserves, limited petroleum, poor quality coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 46.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 39.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 6.5% (2023 est.) forest: 4.1% (2023 est.) other: 49.2% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major rivers (by length in km)
- Indus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km; Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km; Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major watersheds (area sq km)
- Indian Ocean drainage: Indus (1,081,718 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- the Indus River and its tributaries attract most of the settlement, with Punjab province the most densely populated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Geography - note
- controls Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and India
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society36 fields
- Population
- total: 257,047,044 (2025 est.) male: 130,727,015 female: 126,320,029
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Pakistani(s) adjective: Pakistani
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ethnic groups
- Punjabi 44.7%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.4%, Sindhi 14.1%, Saraiki 8.4%, Muhajirs 7.6%, Baloch 3.6%, other 6.3%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Languages
- Punjabi 38.8%, Pashto (alternate name, Pashtu) 18.2%, Sindhi 14.6%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 12.2%, Urdu 7.1%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2.4%, Brahui 1.2%, other 2.4% major-language sample(s): دنیا کا قاموس، ایک لازمی زریہ بنیادی معلومات کا (Urdu) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent population by mother tongue; English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Religions
- Muslim 96.4%, Hindu 1.6%, Christian 1.4%; less than 1%: scheduled castes, Qadiani/Ahmadi, other, Sikh. (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Age structure
- 0-14 years: 34.4% (male 44,330,669/female 42,529,007) 15-64 years: 60.7% (male 78,321,834/female 74,833,003) 65 years and over: 4.9% (2024 est.) (male 5,735,294/female 6,613,764)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 64 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 55.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 12.1 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 23.2 years (2025 est.) male: 22.8 years female: 23 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 25.05 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- -1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population distribution
- the Indus River and its tributaries attract most of the settlement, with Punjab province the most densely populated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 38% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 17.236 million Karachi, 13.979 million Lahore, 3.711 million Faisalabad, 2.415 million Gujranwala, 2.412 million Peshawar, 1.232 million ISLAMABAD (capital) (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sex ratio
- at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 22.8 years (2017/18 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 155 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 50.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.8 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 70.3 years (2024 est.) male: 68.2 years female: 72.5 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 3.25 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 92.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 89.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 90.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 7.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 10.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 9.4% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 2.9% of GDP (2021) 5.6% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 1.16 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 0.5 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 90.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 76.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 81.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 9.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 23.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 18.5% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 15.5% (2025 est.) male: 25.7% (2025 est.) female: 5.4% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Children under the age of 5 years underweight
- 23.1% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 63.4% (2018 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Child marriage
- women married by age 15: 3.6% (2018) women married by age 18: 18.3% (2018) men married by age 18: 4.7% (2018)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 1.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 9.8% national budget (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Literacy
- total population: 58.9% (2021 est.) male: 69.1% (2021 est.) female: 48.5% (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 8 years (2022 est.) male: 8 years (2022 est.) female: 7 years (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
- Environmental issues
- water pollution from raw sewage, industrial wastes, and agricultural runoff; limited natural freshwater resources; most of the population does not have access to potable water; deforestation; soil erosion; desertification; air pollution and noise pollution in urban areas
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International environmental agreements
- party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- mostly hot, dry desert; temperate in northwest; arctic in north
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 46.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 39.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 6.5% (2023 est.) forest: 4.1% (2023 est.) other: 49.2% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 38% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.1% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 212.655 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 59.937 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 93.713 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 59.006 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 50.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Methane emissions
- energy: 1,625.2 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 5,381.3 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 700.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 128.7 kt (2019-2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 30.76 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.8% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total water withdrawal
- municipal: 9.65 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 1.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 172.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 246.8 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Pakistan conventional short form: Pakistan local long form: Jamhuryat Islami Pakistan local short form: Pakistan former: West Pakistan etymology: the name is said to have been proposed in the early 1930s by Muslim students at Cambridge University, created from the initials of Punjab, Afghanistan, and Kashmir; the word pak also means "pure" in Persian or Pashto, and the Persian suffix -stan means "place of" or "country," so Pakistan literally means "Land of the Pure"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Islamabad geographic coordinates: 33 41 N, 73 03 E time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name means "city of Islam" and derives from the Arabic islam, referring to the Islamic faith, and the Persian suffix -abad, meaning "inhabited place" or "city"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Administrative divisions
- 4 provinces, 2 Pakistan-administered areas*, and 1 capital territory**; Azad Kashmir*, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan*, Islamabad Capital Territory**, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- common law system with Islamic law influence
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: several previous; latest endorsed 12 April 1973, passed 19 April 1973, entered into force 14 August 1973 (suspended and restored several times) amendment process: proposed by the Senate or by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of both houses
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Citizenship
- citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Pakistan dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years and including the 12 months preceding application
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Suffrage
- 18 years of age; universal note: women and non-Muslims have joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- chief of state: President Asif Ali ZARDARI (since 10 March 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz SHARIF (since 3 March 2024) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election/appointment process: president indirectly elected for a 5-year term (limited to 2 consecutive terms) by the Electoral College, which consists of members of the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies; prime minister elected for a 5-year term by the National Assembly most recent election date: 9 March 2024 election results: 2024: Asif Ali ZARDARI elected president; National Assembly vote - Asif Ali ZARDARI (PPP) 411 votes, Mehmood Khan ACHAKZALI (PMAP) 181 votes; Shehbaz SHARIF elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - Shehbaz SHARIF (PML-N) 201, Omar AYUB (PTI) 92 expected date of next election: 2029
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: Parliament (Majlis-E-Shoora) legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name: National Assembly number of seats: 336 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 2/8/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) (75); Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) (54); Muttahida Quami Movement Pakistan (MQMP) (17); Independents (101); Other (16) percentage of women in chamber: 17% expected date of next election: February 2029
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name: Senate number of seats: 96 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 6 years most recent election date: 4/2/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 18.8% expected date of next election: March 2027
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): Supreme Court of Pakistan (consists of the chief justice and 16 judges) judge selection and term of office: justices nominated by an 8-member parliamentary committee on the recommendation of the Judicial Commission, a 9-member body of judges and other judicial professionals, and appointed by the president; justices can serve until age 65 subordinate courts: High Courts; Federal Shariat Court; provincial and district civil and criminal courts; specialized courts for issues, such as taxation, banking, and customs
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Political parties
- Awami National Party or ANP Awami Muslim League or AML Balochistan Awami Party or BAP Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M Grand Democratic Alliance or GDA (alliance of several parties) Hazara Democratic Party or HDP Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party Jamaat-e-Islami or JI Jamhoori Wattan Party or JWP Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl or JUI-F Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan or MWM Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or MMA (alliance of several parties) Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan or MQM-P National Party or NP Pakistan Muslim League or PML-Z Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or PML-N Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam or PML-Q Pakistan Peoples Party or PPP Pakistan Rah-e-Haq Party or PRHP Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI (Pakistan Movement for Justice) Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party or PMAP or PKMAP Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan or TLP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Rizwan Saeed SHEIKH (since 18 September 2024) chancery: 3517 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 243-6500 FAX: [1] (202) 686-1534 email address and website: consularsection@embassyofpakistanusa.org https://embassyofpakistanusa.org/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. BAKER (since January 2025) embassy: Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5, Islamabad mailing address: 8100 Islamabad Place, Washington, DC 20521-8100 telephone: [92] 051-201-4000 FAX: [92] 51-2338071 email address and website: ACSIslamabad@state.gov https://pk.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International organization participation
- ADB, AIIB, ARF, ASEAN (sectoral dialogue partner), C, CERN (associate member), CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-11, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURCAT, MINURSO, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNSOS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- 14 August 1947 (from British India)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Pakistan Day, 23 March, also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day (1940) or Republic Day (1956) note: commemorates the adoption of the Lahore Resolution on 23 March 1940, which called for the creation of independent Muslim states, and also the adoption of Pakistan's first constitution on 23 March 1956, during the transition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: green with a vertical white band on the left side; a large white crescent and star are centered in the green field meaning: the crescent, star, and color green are all traditional Islamic symbols; the white band symbolizes the role of religious minorities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National symbol(s)
- five-pointed star between the horns of a waxing crescent moon, jasmine
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: "Qaumi Tarana" (National Anthem) lyrics/music: Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA history: adopted 1954; also known as "Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National heritage
- total World Heritage Sites: 6 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro; Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi; Taxila; Fort and Shalamar Gardens in Lahore; Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta; Rohtas Fort
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
- Economic overview
- lower middle-income South Asian economy; extremely high debt; endemic corruption; regional disputes with India and Afghanistan hinder investment; falling inflation, IMF relief programs, and strong agricultural output slowly contributing to economic recovery
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $1.39 trillion (2024 est.) $1.346 trillion (2023 est.) $1.347 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 3.2% (2024 est.) 0% (2023 est.) 4.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $5,500 (2024 est.) $5,400 (2023 est.) $5,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $373.072 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 12.6% (2024 est.) 30.8% (2023 est.) 19.9% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 23.5% (2024 est.) industry: 20% (2024 est.) services: 50.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 85.2% (2024 est.) government consumption: 8.5% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 11.2% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 1.7% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 10.4% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -17.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- sugarcane, bison milk, wheat, milk, rice, maize, potatoes, cotton, mangoes/guavas, chicken (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- -1.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 83.644 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 5.5% (2024 est.) 5.5% (2023 est.) 5.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 9.9% (2024 est.) male: 9.8% (2024 est.) female: 10.1% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 21.9% (2018 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 29.6 (2018 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Average household expenditures
- on food: 37.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 4.2% (2018 est.) highest 10%: 25.5% (2018 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 9.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 7.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 8% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $40.774 billion (2015 est.) expenditures: $49.558 billion (2015 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- $699.22 million (2024 est.) -$1.039 billion (2023 est.) -$12.216 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $40.219 billion (2024 est.) $36.215 billion (2023 est.) $38.967 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- USA 14%, UAE 10%, China 9%, Germany 7%, UK 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- garments, fabric, refined petroleum, rice, cotton fabric (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $66.844 billion (2024 est.) $58.069 billion (2023 est.) $76.594 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- China 25%, Qatar 11%, UAE 9%, Saudi Arabia 8%, Indonesia 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- natural gas, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, palm oil, plastics (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $18.408 billion (2024 est.) $13.73 billion (2023 est.) $9.927 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Debt - external
- $89.148 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Pakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 278.581 (2024 est.) 280.356 (2023 est.) 204.867 (2022 est.) 162.906 (2021 est.) 161.838 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy8 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 95% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 93%
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 43.512 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 145.357 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 481.25 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 25.811 billion kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 60.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 14.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 3.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 19.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nuclear energy
- Number of operational nuclear reactors: 6 (2025) Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 1 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 3.26GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 17.4% (2023 est.) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 1 (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coal
- production: 13.765 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 30.191 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 900 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 16.185 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 2.857 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 91,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 645,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 540 million barrels (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- production: 27.476 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 36.323 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 8.847 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 592.219 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 14.076 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 2.573 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 193 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 77 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- 120 satellite TV stations; 42 media companies/channels; state-run Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) is the largest TV network, serves over 85 percent of the population with 9 TV channels; over 100 private cable and satellite channels; state-owned Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC or Radio Pakistan) has the largest radio audience, particularly in rural areas, with AM/SW/FM stations covering most of the country (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 27% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 3.36 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- AP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Railways
- total: 11,881 km (2021) narrow gauge: 389 km (2021) 1.000-m gauge broad gauge: 11,492 km (2021) 1.676-m gauge (286 km electrified)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 60 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 5, oil tanker 9, other 46
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Ports
- total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 2 small: 1 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Gwadar, Karachi, Muhamamad Bin Qasim
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
- Military and security forces
- Pakistan Armed Forces: Pakistan Army (includes National Guard), Pakistan Navy (includes Pakistan Marines, Pakistan Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force Ministry of Interior: Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Corps, National Police, Pakistan Coast Guard, Punjab (Pakistan) Rangers, Sindh (Pakistan) Rangers (2025) note: the National Guard is a paramilitary force and one of the Army's reserve forces; other Army reserves include the Pakistan Army Reserve, the Frontier Corps, and the Pakistan Rangers
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 3% of GDP (2023 est.) 4% of GDP (2022 est.) 4% of GDP (2021 est.) 4% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 650,000 active Armed Forces (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military's inventory is a mix of mostly imported and some domestically produced armaments; the majority of its imported weapons are from China; other suppliers include France, Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine, the UK, and the US; Pakistan also has a domestic defense industry, which produces or co-produces such items as armored vehicles, aircraft, missiles, naval vessels (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- 16-28 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; lower and upper age limits vary by military branch, position, and role; personnel cannot be deployed for combat until age 18 (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military deployments
- 1,400 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 300 MONUSCO; 300 South Sudan (UNMISS); 575 Sudan (UNISFA) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Pakistan military is responsible for external defense but also has a domestic security role; its chief external focus is India; the military is the lead security agency in many areas of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and has for decades conducted operations against various internal militant groups; it is also one of the longest serving and largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions; China is its closest security partner the military operates largely independently and without effective civilian oversight; it has ruled the country for more than 30 years since independence in 1947 and continues to play a significant role in Pakistan's political arena; it also has a large stake in the country’s economic sector and is involved in a diverse array of commercial activities, including banking, construction of public projects, employment services, energy and power generation, fertilizer, food, housing, real estate, and security services Pakistan has fought four wars and several skirmishes with India; three of the wars have been over the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir, the status of which has been unsettled since the UK's 1947 withdrawal and the partition and independence of India and Pakistan; a fragile cease-fire was reached in 2003, revised in 2018, and reaffirmed in 2021, although the militarized Line of Control which serves as the border remains contested, and India has accused Pakistan of backing armed separatists and terrorist organizations in the territory New Delhi controls; in the Spring of 2025, Indian held Pakistan responsible for a terrorist attack in India-controlled Kashmir and retaliated, sparking a brief cross-border conflict involving aircraft, artillery, drone, and missile strikes the Kashmir dispute also includes the Siachen Glacier, located in the Karakoram Mountain Range, which was seized by India in 1984 with Pakistan attempting to retake the area several times between 1985 and 1995; despite the 2003 cease-fire, both sides continue to maintain a permanent military presence there with outposts at altitudes above 20,000 feet (over 6,000 meters) where most casualties are due to extreme weather and the hazards of operating in the high mountain terrain of the world’s highest conflict, including avalanches, exposure, and altitude sickness (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Space4 fields
- Space agency/agencies
- Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO; established 1961) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Space launch site(s)
- none; missile test sites at Somiani (Balochistan) and Tilla Jogian (Punjab) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Space program overview
- space program dates back to the early 1960s, but funding shortfalls and shifts in priority toward ballistic missile development in the 1980s and 1990s hampered the program’s development; now has a strengthened focus on acquiring satellites and reaching agreements with other space powers for additional capabilities; manufactures and operates satellites; researching and developing other space-related capabilities and technologies, such as satellite payloads; also conducts research in areas such as astronomy, astrophysics, environmental monitoring, and space sciences; works with China, Russia, and Turkey (cooperated with the UK and US prior to the 1990s) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Key space-program milestones
- 1962-1972 - launched about 200 sounding rockets with some US assistance 1990 - first domestically built experimental satellite (Badr-1) launched by China 2001 - first remote sensing (RS) satellite (Badr-2) built jointly with the UK and launched by Russia 2011 - first digital communications satellite (PakSat-1R) launched by China 2017 - successfully test-launched ballistic missile system (Shaheed-III) 2023 - joined China’s International Lunar Research Station program 2024 - first lunar orbiter/satellite (iCube Qamar) launched by China and deployed from China's Chang'e-6 spacecraft 2025 - first fully domestic RS satellite (PRSC-EO1) launched by China; selected country's first astronauts to be trained by China for mission to China's space station
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
- Terrorist group(s)
- al-Qa’ida; al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS); Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA); Haqqani Network (HQN); Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI); Harakat ul-Mujahidin; Hizbul Mujahideen; Indian Mujahedeen; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan (ISIS-K); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – India (ISI); Islamic State of ash-Sham – Pakistan (ISP); Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU); Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM); Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah); Lashkar i Jhangvi (LJ); Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LeT); The Resistance Front (TRF); Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) note 1: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide note 2: the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), an armed separatist group that targets security forces and civilians, has been active in Pakistan since the 2000s, mainly in ethnic Baloch areas of the country; in 2019, the US designated BLA as Specially Designated Global Terrorists
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 1,759,332 (2024 est.) IDPs: 224,813 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 60 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Illicit drugs
- USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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