Pakistan
Pakistan is a major federal parliamentary republic located in Southern Asia, bordering Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran. Current estimates show the population has reached approximately 259 million people, with an estimated GDP per capita of 1,570 USD.
Where is Pakistan?
Pakistan
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- Pakistan
- Coordinates
- 30.00°, 70.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 259M
- Area
- 796,095 km²
- Density per km²
- 325 / km²
- Growth rate
- +1.51%
- Annual growth
- +3.9M people
- Daily growth
- +10.7K people
- World population share
- 3.19%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Pakistan
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Islamabad
- Region
- Asia
- Area
- 796,095 km²
- Languages
- English, Urdu
- Currency
- Pakistani rupee (₨)
- Timezones
- UTC+05:00
- UN Member
- Yes
Neighboring Countries
Economy
The Pakistani economy is characterized by an annual growth rate of 3.05% and an unemployment rate of 5.42%. While the nation holds a global GDP rank of 43, it faces challenges in individual wealth distribution, with a GDP per capita rank of 179 globally and 7 out of 9 in Southern Asia. Major economic contributions come from agriculture, natural gas reserves, and a significant textiles sector that utilizes the country's extensive arable land. Recent data indicates the economy continues to navigate structural shifts while maintaining its position as the 18th largest economy in Asia by nominal GDP.
Society
Social development indicators show a life expectancy at birth of 67.8 years, which ranks 167 globally. The adult literacy rate is 58.9%, placing the country at rank 154 out of 170 nations according to recent comparative data. Digital adoption is growing rapidly, with 57.3% of the population now identifying as internet users, though this results in a global rank of 158. The country maintains a high fertility rate of 3.55 children per woman, contributing to an annual population growth rate of 1.51%.
Climate & Environment
Pakistan features a diverse climate that ranges from the permanent ice and snow of K2 at 8611 m (28251 ft) to the tropical heat of the Arabian Sea coastline. The country experiences distinct seasonal cycles, including a vital monsoon period that provides necessary rainfall for the agricultural heartlands of the Indus River basin. Arid and semi-arid conditions prevail across much of the western and southern regions, where summer temperatures often exceed 40 °C (104 °F).
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Federal parliamentary republic
- Independence
- 1947-08-14 (UK)
Pakistan is a federal parliamentary republic governed by a constitution that establishes a division of power between the central government and its provinces. The political system features a bicameral legislature known as the Majlis-e-Shoora, which consists of the National Assembly and the Senate. The Prime Minister serves as the head of government, exercising executive authority and leading the cabinet, while the President acts as the head of state in a primarily ceremonial capacity. Islamabad serves as the capital and the seat of federal power. The legal system integrates common law with Islamic principles, reflecting the nation's identity as an Islamic republic. Governance is managed across four main provinces—Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan—alongside federal territories. This federal structure is designed to provide regional representation and administrative autonomy within a unified national framework.
History
The history of the region comprising Pakistan is rooted in the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished around 2500 BCE as one of the world's earliest urban societies. Over millennia, the territory was influenced by Persian, Greek, and Kushan empires before the introduction of Islam in the 8th century. The Mughal Empire later established a sophisticated administrative and cultural legacy that defined the region for centuries. Following the decline of Mughal influence, the British East India Company and eventually the British Raj assumed control. The modern state of Pakistan gained independence from the UK on 14 August 1947, following a determined movement led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the All-India Muslim League to establish a separate homeland for Muslims in British India. This partition led to one of the largest mass migrations in history. Since its founding, Pakistan has navigated significant political shifts, including the secession of East Pakistan to become Bangladesh in 1971. In the modern era, the country has balanced periods of military rule and democratic transitions, establishing itself as a nuclear-armed regional power with a complex role in Southern Asian geopolitics and ongoing efforts toward economic modernization.
Notable Facts
- K2 (Godwin-Austen) is the second-highest mountain in the world, reaching an elevation of 8611 m (28251 ft) in the Karakoram range.
- The country is the world’s fifth most populous nation, with a total population of approximately 251 million based on official 2024 data.
- Pakistan is home to the Khewra Salt Mine, the second-largest salt mine globally and a primary source of pink Himalayan salt.
- The nation features a highly diverse linguistic landscape where English and Urdu are official languages, though Punjabi is spoken by 44.7 percent of the population.
- The Karakoram Highway, connecting Pakistan with China, is one of the highest paved international roads in the world, reaching an altitude of over 4600 m (15091 ft).
Geography
- Highest Point
- K2 (Godwin-Austen) (8,611 m)
- Lowest Point
- Arabian Sea (0 m)
- Coastline
- 1,046 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in PakistanExplore weather and climate data for cities in Pakistan
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Islamabad
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°C / 7°C | 15°C / 5°C | 8days (80 mm) Wet | 8.4h Good | 73% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| February | 21°C / 10°C | 20°C / 9°C | 6days (58 mm) Good | 9.6h Good | 64% Muggy | Good | View Details |
| March best | 25°C / 15°C | 25°C / 14°C | 9days (110 mm) Wet | 9.8h Good | 65% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| April best | 30°C / 19°C | 31°C / 19°C | 9days (72 mm) Wet | 11.2h Excellent | 55% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| May | 35°C / 23°C | 37°C / 24°C | 8days (42 mm) Wet | 12.7h Excellent | 48% Moderate | Fair | View Details |
| June | 38°C / 27°C | 41°C / 29°C | 6days (46 mm) Good | 13.3h Excellent | 47% Moderate | Fair | View Details |
| July | 35°C / 27°C | 41°C / 32°C | 18days (176 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 69% Muggy | Wet | View Details |
| August | 34°C / 27°C | 41°C / 32°C | 17days (154 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 72% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| September | 35°C / 25°C | 39°C / 29°C | 6days (49 mm) Good | 11.6h Excellent | 65% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| October best | 31°C / 19°C | 31°C / 19°C | 4days (33 mm) Good | 10.5h Excellent | 58% Moderate | Excellent | View Details |
| November best | 24°C / 13°C | 23°C / 11°C | 3days (23 mm) Excellent | 9.5h Good | 65% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| December best | 19°C / 8°C | 18°C / 6°C | 2days (13 mm) Excellent | 9.3h Good | 68% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 17°C / 7°C . Feb: 21°C / 10°C . Mar: 25°C / 15°C . Apr: 30°C / 19°C . May: 35°C / 23°C . Jun: 38°C / 27°C . Jul: 35°C / 27°C . Aug: 34°C / 27°C . Sep: 35°C / 25°C . Oct: 31°C / 19°C . Nov: 24°C / 13°C . Dec: 19°C / 8°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 80 mm. Feb: 58 mm. Mar: 110 mm. Apr: 72 mm. May: 42 mm. Jun: 46 mm. Jul: 176 mm. Aug: 154 mm. Sep: 49 mm. Oct: 33 mm. Nov: 23 mm. Dec: 13 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Pakistan is approximately 259M (2024).
The capital of Pakistan is Islamabad.
Pakistan's GDP per capita is $1.6K (2024).
Life expectancy in Pakistan is 67.8 years (2024).
Pakistan covers 796,095 km² (307,374 sq mi).
Pakistan is densely populated, with 325 people per km² — above the global average of 60.
Pakistan's population is growing rapidly at 1.5% per year — among the fastest in the world.
Based on GDP per capita, Pakistan falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $1.6K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Pakistan's intentional homicide rate is 4.3 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.
Pakistan has 2 official languages: English, Urdu.
Pakistan uses the Pakistani rupee (₨) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Pakistan are March, April, October, November, December, based on climate data for the capital.
Recent estimates show the population of Pakistan has reached approximately 259 million people. This makes it the 5th most populous country globally and the 4th largest in Asia. The population is currently growing at an annual rate of 1.51%, with a density of approximately 336 people per km² (870 sq mi).
The Pakistani economy has a total GDP of approximately 372 billion USD, with an estimated GDP per capita of 1,570 USD. This output ranks Pakistan 43rd globally and 18th in Asia for nominal GDP. Recent data shows an annual growth rate of 3.05% and an unemployment rate of 5.42%.
The adult literacy rate in Pakistan is 58.9%, which currently ranks 154th out of 170 countries globally. Educational challenges remain due to regional disparities, though the country continues to invest in vocational training and primary education to improve these figures. Approximately 39.2% of the population lives in urban centers where educational access is higher.
Current data indicates that 57.3% of the Pakistani population are internet users, which ranks the country 158th globally. Digital infrastructure has expanded significantly, driven by a growing young population and increased mobile connectivity. This digital shift is supporting new opportunities in the local tech and services sectors.
Pakistan covers an area of 796095 km² (307374 sq mi) and features extreme geographic diversity. The highest point is K2 at 8611 m (28251 ft), while the lowest is the Arabian Sea at 0 m (0 ft). The country shares borders with Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran and has a coastline of 1046 km (650 mi).
Pakistan holds a global population rank of 5 of 215 countries. Within its region, it ranks 4 of 49 in Asia and 2 of 9 in Southern Asia. These rankings reflect the country's status as one of the world's major demographic centers, trailing only India, China, the United States, and Indonesia.
The estimated 2026 population density of Pakistan is 336 people per km² (870 per sq mi). This density ranks 36 of 215 countries globally and 15 of 49 within Asia. Population distribution is uneven, with the highest concentrations found in the fertile Indus River basin and major cities.
Pakistan's population is increasing at an annual rate of 1.51%. This growth results in an estimated net increase of 10,392 people every day. Recent data indicates there are approximately 18,871 births and 4,437 deaths daily, ensuring that the country remains one of the fastest-growing large nations in the world.
The latest official 2024 data shows a fertility rate of 3.55 births per woman in Pakistan. This rate ranks 43 of 215 countries globally for the highest fertility. This sustained high rate is a primary driver of the country's significant annual growth and its overall youthful demographic profile.
According to official 2024 data, 39.2% of Pakistan's population lives in urban areas. While the country ranks 173 of 215 globally for urbanization percentage, its major metropolitan areas are expanding rapidly. This trend is driven by industrialization and the search for better economic opportunities in cities like Karachi.
All Indicators
Explore Pakistan's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
Military & Security
Infrastructure
Geography
Last updated: