Quick facts
Pakistan population overview
Pakistan is the 4th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 257,237,183 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.6% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 11,198 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 6,868,233 births (26.7 per 1,000 people) and 1,646,318 deaths (6.4 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 1,131,844 people. The infant mortality rate is 46.5 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 45,709,310 in 1960 to 255,219,554 in 2025 — a change of +458.4%, or +2.7% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 20.8 years; life expectancy at birth is 68.1 years; women have on average 3.5 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 36.2% of residents are under 15 and 4.4% are 65 or older (2025); 39.5% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Islamabad. Pakistan covers 796,100 km², giving a population density of about 327 people per km². GDP was $407.31B in 2025 — about $1,596 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Pakistan population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 260,498,909 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 257,237,183 |
| World rank | #5 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #4 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 3.2% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.6% |
| Births per year est. | 6,868,233 |
| Deaths per year est. | 1,646,318 |
| Net migration per year est. | -1,131,844 |
| Birth rate | 26.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 46.5 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 102.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 20.8 years |
| Life expectancy | 68.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 3.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 39.5% |
| Surface area 2023 | 796,100 km² |
| Population density | 327 per km² |
| Capital | Islamabad |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $407.31B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,596 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Pakistan population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 260,498,909 | – | – |
| 2025 | 255,219,554 | +3,950,390 | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 251,269,164 | +3,764,669 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 247,504,495 | +3,803,828 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 243,700,667 | +4,222,866 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 239,477,801 | +4,476,055 | +1.9% |
| 2020 | 235,001,746 | +17,710,863 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 217,290,883 | +18,051,836 | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 199,239,047 | +23,785,835 | +2.6% |
| 2005 | 175,453,212 | +20,574,085 | +2.5% |
| 2000 | 154,879,127 | +20,296,874 | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 134,582,253 | +18,426,677 | +3% |
| 1990 | 116,155,576 | +17,926,291 | +3.4% |
| 1985 | 98,229,285 | +15,938,275 | +3.6% |
| 1980 | 82,291,010 | +12,829,835 | +3.4% |
| 1975 | 69,461,175 | +9,294,456 | +2.9% |
| 1970 | 60,166,719 | +7,957,709 | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 52,209,010 | +6,499,700 | +2.7% |
| 1960 | 45,709,310 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Pakistan
Population over time
- From 45,709,310 in 1960 to 260,498,909 today — up 469.9%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.8 years (2024), up 23.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 3.5 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 27.4 births vs 6.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 21 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 36.2% of the population is under 15 and 4.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.4% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 204 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 235.4 Mt in 2022 — down 13.3% since.
- Per person: 0.81 t in 2024, vs 0.3 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 415 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 11.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 41.6% of final energy in 2021 (-15.9 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 4.7% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 6.5% to 4.7% since 1990 — roughly 14,302 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 39.5% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 22.3% in 1960 (+17.2 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: critical — freshwater withdrawals are 326% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 226 m³ in 2022, down 80.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $407.31B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 35.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,596 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.5% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 57.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 76.9 per 100 people (2024).
Pakistan in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Pakistan in 2026?
As of October 2026, Pakistan has an estimated population of 260,498,909. The United Nations estimated 257,237,183 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Pakistan growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.6% per year — roughly 11,198 more people every day. Each year there are about 6,868,233 births and 1,646,318 deaths, with net migration of -1,131,844.
What is the population density of Pakistan?
About 327 people per square kilometre: 260,498,909 people living on 796,100 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Pakistan?
The median age is 20.8 years, and life expectancy at birth is 68.1 years. 36.2% of the population is under 15 and 4.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Pakistan rank by population?
Pakistan is the 5th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 4th in Asia, with 3.2% of the global population.
How has the population of Pakistan changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 45,709,310; by 2025 it had grown to 255,219,554 (+458.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
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RussiaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.6%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.