Pakistan has a population of approximately 240 million people as of 2025, making it the fifth most populous country in the world. Only China, India, the United States, and Indonesia have more inhabitants. Within South Asia, Pakistan ranks second behind India, and its population has been climbing rapidly for decades, having nearly doubled since the turn of the millennium.
How Many People Live in Pakistan?
The current figure of roughly 240 million reflects estimates following Pakistan's 2023 digital census, the country's first conducted with smartphones and GPS mapping. Counting Pakistan's people is a major logistical undertaking, given that millions live in remote mountain valleys, sprawling informal urban settlements, and rural districts spread across more than 880,000 km² of territory. The official tally placed the population just above 241 million, confirming Pakistan's standing among the demographic giants of the world.
To put the number in perspective, Pakistan is home to more people than Russia, Japan, and Germany combined. Roughly one in every 33 people on Earth lives within its borders, and the population continues to grow by several million each year.
Population Growth and Future Projections
Pakistan's population is expanding at an annual rate of about 1.98 percent, one of the fastest among the world's large nations. At that pace, the country adds roughly 4.7 million people every year — comparable to building a new city the size of Los Angeles annually.
The engine behind this growth is a total fertility rate of around 3.5 births per woman, well above the global average and among the highest outside of Africa. Demographers project that Pakistan could surpass 400 million people by 2050, which would likely move it past Indonesia and the United States to become the third most populous country on Earth. This trajectory creates enormous pressure on schools, hospitals, water supplies, and the job market, making population policy one of the country's central long-term challenges.
A Strikingly Young Population
One of the most defining features of Pakistan's demographics is its youth. The median age is just about 20 years, meaning half the population is younger than that. Roughly 140 million Pakistanis — more than the entire population of Russia — are under the age of 25.
This creates what economists call a "demographic dividend": a vast working-age population that could power decades of economic growth if jobs, education, and skills training keep pace. If they do not, the same youth bulge can fuel unemployment and social strain. Either way, the sheer scale of Pakistan's young generation makes it one of the most demographically dynamic countries in Asia.
Where Pakistanis Live: Cities and Density
Pakistan's average population density is about 272 people per square kilometre, but that figure hides dramatic regional contrasts. The fertile plains of Punjab pack in thousands of people per square kilometre, while the arid expanses of Balochistan support fewer than ten per square kilometre.
Urbanisation is accelerating at roughly 3 percent per year as people move toward economic opportunity. The largest cities include:
- Karachi — the largest city and financial capital, with around 16 million residents (over 20 million in the wider metro area), handling the bulk of the nation's foreign trade through its seaport.
- Lahore — the cultural heart of Pakistan and second-largest city, with roughly 13 million people and a celebrated Mughal-era heritage.
- Faisalabad — the third-largest city and an industrial textile hub, sometimes nicknamed the "Manchester of Pakistan," with about 3.5 million residents.
The capital, Islamabad, is a comparatively small, planned city, while the historic megacity of Karachi has ballooned from just 400,000 residents at independence in 1947 to a metropolis of many millions today.
Ethnic and Religious Composition
Pakistan is ethnically and linguistically diverse. Punjabis make up the largest group at around 45 percent of the population, followed by Pashtuns at about 15 percent, Sindhis at roughly 14 percent, and Muhajirs at around 7.5 percent, alongside Baloch and other communities. Urdu serves as the national language and a unifying lingua franca, though Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashto, and Balochi are widely spoken in their respective regions, and English is used in government and higher education.
Religiously, the country is overwhelmingly Muslim, with more than 96 percent of people following Islam — a Sunni majority with a significant Shia minority — alongside smaller Christian, Hindu, and other communities. For more on the country's geography, history, and culture, see our pakistan country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Pakistan in 2025?
Pakistan's population in 2025 is estimated at approximately 240 million people, based on figures following the 2023 census. This makes it the fifth most populous country in the world.
Is Pakistan the most populous country in South Asia?
No. Pakistan is the second most populous country in South Asia, behind India, which has more than 1.4 billion people. Pakistan is followed by Bangladesh in the regional rankings.
How fast is Pakistan's population growing?
Pakistan's population grows at about 1.98 percent per year, adding roughly 4.7 million people annually. At this rate it could exceed 400 million by 2050.
What is the largest city in Pakistan?
Karachi is the largest city, with around 16 million residents in the city and over 20 million in the metropolitan area. It is the country's economic and financial centre.
