Country Profile: Pakistan

Pakistan is located in Southern Asia, bordered by India to the east and Iran, Afghanistan, and China to the west and north, respectively. With a population of approximately 257 million, it is the world's fifth-most populous country. Economically, Pakistan is classified as a lower middle-income nation, struggling with high debt and corruption while relying heavily on agriculture. The country operates as a federal parliamentary republic, where ongoing political challenges and security threats from militant groups affect governance and societal stability.

Geography

Pakistan's geography is varied, featuring a combination of northern highlands, the Indus River plain, and the Balochistan Plateau. Its total area is about 796,095 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than Georgia but smaller than California. The country has significant natural resources, including arable land and extensive natural gas reserves, though it faces frequent natural hazards like earthquakes and flooding.

Total area: 796,095 sq km
Land boundaries: 7,257 km (with Afghanistan, India, Iran, and China)
Highest point: K2 (8,611 m)
Climate: Mostly hot and dry desert
Irrigated land: 194,200 sq km (2022)
Natural hazards: Frequent earthquakes and flooding

People and Society

Pakistan is home to a diverse population of around 257 million, comprising various ethnic groups including Punjabis, Pashtuns, and Sindhis. The predominant religion is Islam, which is followed by approximately 96.4% of the population. The country is experiencing rapid urbanization, with about 38% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023.

Population (2025 est.): 257,047,044
Urbanization rate: 38% of total population (2023)
Literacy rate: 58.9% (2021)
Median age: 23.2 years (2025)
Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman (2025)
Infant mortality rate: 50.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025)

Economy

The economy of Pakistan is characterized as a lower middle-income economy with significant challenges, including high debt and regional disputes affecting investment. In 2024, the GDP is projected to be $1.39 trillion (PPP), with agriculture being a vital sector that contributes about 23.5% to the GDP.

GDP (PPP 2024 est.): $1.39 trillion
GDP per capita (2024 est.): $5,500
Unemployment rate: 5.5% (2024)
Inflation rate: 12.6% (2024)
Major industries: Textiles, food processing, and pharmaceuticals
Population below poverty line: 21.9% (2018 est.)

Government

Pakistan is a federal parliamentary republic, with a complex political landscape marked by both democratic and military influences. The country is administratively divided into four provinces and several territories. The most recent presidential election took place on March 9, 2024, resulting in the election of Asif Ali Zardari as president.

Government type: Federal parliamentary republic
Capital: Islamabad
Latest constitution: Enacted on August 14, 1973
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Legislature: Bicameral Parliament (National Assembly and Senate)
Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military and Security

The Pakistan Armed Forces play a significant role in both national defense and domestic security, with around 650,000 active personnel. The country faces numerous security challenges from various militant groups and has been involved in several conflicts, particularly concerning the disputed region of Kashmir.

Active military personnel: 650,000 (2025)
Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024)
Major military equipment suppliers: China, USA, UK, Russia
Military deployments: Active in peacekeeping missions in multiple countries
National security focus: India and internal militancy

Energy

Pakistan's energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels, with approximately 60.4% of its electricity generation capacity derived from these sources. Efforts are ongoing to increase capacity through renewable energy initiatives, although the country continues to face electricity access challenges.

Electrification rate: 95% of total population (2022)
Installed electricity capacity: 43.512 million kW (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy: 17.4% of total electricity production (2023 est.)
Natural gas consumption: 36.323 billion cubic meters (2023)
Coal production: 13.765 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Environment

Pakistan faces significant environmental challenges, including water pollution, deforestation, and limited freshwater resources. The country is a participant in several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues and has been affected by climate change impacts.

Water withdrawal (total): 246.8 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 212.655 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Municipal solid waste generated annually: 30.76 million tons (2024 est.)
Urban population with improved sanitation access: 90.5% (2022 est.)
Major environmental issues: Water pollution, air pollution, and soil erosion

Transportation

Pakistan has a diverse transportation network that includes a mix of railways, roads, and air travel. The country has 117 airports and significant railway infrastructure, although many of its facilities are in need of modernization.

Total railways: 11,881 km (2021)
Airports: 117 (2025)
Merchant marine fleet: 60 vessels (2023)
Key ports: Gwadar, Karachi, Muhammad Bin Qasim

Communications

The communications infrastructure in Pakistan is developing, with a growing number of mobile and internet users. As of 2023, approximately 27% of the population uses the internet, and there are over 193 million mobile subscribers.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 193 million (2024)
Internet users: 27% of the population (2023)
Telephones - fixed lines: 2.573 million subscriptions (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Total Population	257,047,044	(2025 est.)
Area	796,095 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.39 trillion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	(2024 est.)
Birth Rate	25.05 births/1,000 people	(2025 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	14.076 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Literacy Rate	58.9%	(2021 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	70.3 years	(2024 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	3.25 children/woman	(2025 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line	21.9%	(2018 est.)