Country Profile: Pakistan

Pakistan, located in Southern Asia, is bordered by the Arabian Sea, India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China. With a population exceeding 252 million, it is among the most populous countries globally. The economy is classified as lower middle-income, characterized by high debt and significant agricultural output, but hindered by ongoing regional tensions and corruption. Governed as a federal parliamentary republic, Pakistan is a melting pot of diverse ethnicities and religions, primarily Islam.

Geography

Pakistan features a diverse geography, including the northern highlands, the Indus River plain, and the Balochistan Plateau. The country spans an area of approximately 796,095 square kilometers, with significant natural resources including arable land and extensive natural gas reserves. Its climate ranges from hot and dry deserts to temperate regions in the northwest and arctic zones in the north.

Total Area: 796,095 sq km
Land Borders: 7,257 km with Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran.
Highest Point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) at 8,611 m.
Arable Land: 39.2% of agricultural land (2022).
Natural Hazards: Frequent earthquakes and seasonal floods.

People and Society

The estimated population of Pakistan stands at 252,363,571 in 2024, with a youth population comprising a significant portion. The society is predominantly Muslim, with various ethnic groups, including Punjabis, Pashtuns, and Sindhis. The country’s literacy rate is around 58.9% as of 2021, with notable disparities between genders.

Urban Population: 38% of total population (2023).
Languages Spoken: Major languages include Punjabi (38.8%) and Pashto (18.2%).
Median Age: 22.9 years (2024).
Life Expectancy: 70.3 years at birth (2024).
Population Growth Rate: 1.86% (2024).

Economy

Pakistan's economy, classified as lower middle-income, faces challenges such as high debt and endemic corruption but is slowly recovering through strong agricultural outputs and IMF relief programs. The GDP for purchasing power parity is estimated at $1.39 trillion for 2024, with a growth rate forecast of 3.2%.

GDP per capita: $5,500 (2024).
Unemployment Rate: 5.5% (2024).
Poverty Rate: 21.9% of the population below poverty line (2018).
Agricultural Sector: Contributes 23.5% to GDP (2024).
Exports: Estimated at $40.219 billion (2024).

Government

Pakistan operates as a federal parliamentary republic, with Islamabad serving as the capital. The political structure includes a bicameral legislature made up of the National Assembly and the Senate. The country’s framework has been influenced by Islamic law, and it officially recognizes citizenship by birth.

Executive Branch: Led by President Asif Ali ZARDARI and Prime Minister Shahbaz SHARIF (both elected in 2024).
National Holiday: Celebrated on 23 March, commemorating the Lahore Resolution.
Age of Suffrage: 18 years.
Parliament: 336 members in the National Assembly (2024).
Constitution: Established on 14 August 1973.

Military and Security

Pakistan has one of the largest military forces in the world, with approximately 650,000 active personnel. The military plays a significant role in both external defense and domestic security, particularly concerning regional conflicts with India.

Military Expenditure: 2.5% of GDP (2024).
Active Personnel: Approximately 650,000 (2025).
Military Deployments: Around 1,300 troops in peacekeeping operations (2024).
Defense Partners: Close cooperation exists mainly with China.
Historical Conflicts: Engaged in four wars with India, primarily over Kashmir.

Energy

Pakistan's energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, accounting for a significant portion of its electricity generation. The country aims to improve its energy access, with 95% of the population having electricity access as of 2022.

Total Installed Capacity: 43.512 million kW (2023).
Electricity Consumption: 145.357 billion kWh (2023).
Renewable Energy Sources: Contribute approximately 19.9% through hydroelectricity.
Natural Gas Production: 27.476 billion cubic meters (2023).
Nuclear Energy Use: 17.4% of total electricity production (2023).

Environment

Environmental challenges in Pakistan include water pollution, deforestation, and limited access to potable water. The country is actively engaged in various international environmental agreements but struggles with domestic ecological issues.

Water Resources: Total renewable water resources estimated at 246.8 billion cubic meters (2020).
Pollution: Major urban areas face severe air and noise pollution.
Waste Recycling: Only 8% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2017).
Agricultural Land: 46.6% of land used for agriculture (2022).
Natural Hazards: Susceptible to desertification and soil erosion.

Transportation

Pakistan has a developing transportation infrastructure, including extensive road, rail, and air networks. The country is working towards improving its logistics and connectivity, which are vital for economic growth.

Airports: 117 airports as of 2025.
Railway Network: Total of 11,881 km (2021).
Ports: Supports 3 main ports, including Gwadar and Karachi (2024).
Civil Aircraft: Registration prefix is AP.
Merchant Marine: Comprises 60 vessels (2023).

Communications

The communication infrastructure in Pakistan includes a wide array of media options, with increasing internet penetration among the population. The nation is moving towards expanding both fixed and mobile communication services.

Mobile Subscriptions: Approximately 189 million cellular phones (2023).
Internet Users: 27% of the population online (2023).
Fixed-Line Subscriptions: 2.573 million (2023).
Broadband Access: 3.36 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
Broadcast Media: Over 120 satellite TV stations available.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	252,363,571 (2024 est.)
Area	796,095 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.39 trillion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	14.076 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	25.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.5% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	70.3 years (2024 est.)