Country Profile: Pakistan

Pakistan, located in Southern Asia, is bordered by India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China, with a coastline along the Arabian Sea. The country has a diverse geography that includes the northern highlands, the fertile Indus River plain, and the arid Balochistan Plateau. With a population of over 257 million, Pakistan is a federal parliamentary republic that has faced political challenges and ongoing conflicts, particularly concerning its relationship with India. The economy is classified as a lower middle-income economy, heavily reliant on agriculture, with recent efforts aimed at economic recovery despite high debt levels.

Geography

Pakistan spans an area of 796,095 square kilometers, making it slightly larger than Georgia but smaller than California. The country is characterized by diverse terrain, including the northern highlands, a central plain dominated by the Indus River, and the Balochistan Plateau. The climate varies, primarily being hot and dry, with temperate conditions in the northwest and arctic conditions in the north.

Total area: 796,095 sq km (2023)
Land boundaries: 7,257 km with Afghanistan, China, India, and Iran
Elevation: Ranges from 0 m (Arabian Sea) to 8,611 m (K2)
Natural resources: Includes extensive natural gas reserves and arable land
Agricultural land: 46.7% of the total area (2023)
Irrigated land: 194,200 sq km (2022)
Major rivers: Indus (3,610 km), Sutlej (1,372 km), Chenab (1,086 km)

People and Society

Pakistan's population is approximately 257 million as of 2025, with a majority identifying as Muslim. The country features a rich tapestry of ethnic groups, including Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis, and Baloch, which contribute to its cultural diversity. Literacy rates remain a challenge, especially among women, with a total literacy rate of 58.9% as of 2021. Pakistan is highly urbanized, with 38% of its population living in urban areas.

Ethnic groups: Punjabis (44.7%), Pashtun (15.4%), Sindhi (14.1%)
Languages spoken: Major languages include Punjabi, Pashto, and Urdu
Population growth rate: 1.82% (2025)
Life expectancy at birth: 70.3 years (2024)
Infant mortality rate: 50.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025)
Urban population: 38% of total population (2023)
Median age: 23.2 years (2025)

Economy

Pakistan's economy is classified as lower middle-income and is characterized by high debt and endemic corruption. The economy is slowly recovering, aided by strong agricultural output and IMF relief programs. Agriculture contributes significantly to the GDP, while the services sector accounts for over half of the economy. Inflation has been a concern, particularly with a rate of 30.8% in 2023.

GDP (PPP): $1.39 trillion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita: $5,500 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.5% (2024)
Agricultural contribution to GDP: 23.5% (2024)
Major exports: Garments, cotton, and rice
Major imports: Natural gas, petroleum, and plastics
Public debt: 67.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Government

Pakistan operates as a federal parliamentary republic, with the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. The country has a bicameral legislature and has faced considerable political turmoil since its independence in 1947. The legal system is influenced by Islamic law, and several political parties play a significant role in the governance of the country.

Capital: Islamabad
Executive branch: President Asif Ali Zardari (from March 2024), Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif (from March 2024)
Legislature: Bicameral Parliament (National Assembly and Senate)
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years
Last election: March 2024
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces and 1 capital territory

Military and Security

The Pakistan Armed Forces comprise the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a significant focus on external defense and internal security. Military expenditures account for about 2.5% of GDP as of 2024. The military is also known for its extensive role in the country's political sphere and commercial activities.

Active personnel: 650,000 (2025)
Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024)
Military equipment: Mix of domestic and imported armaments
Peacekeeping contributions: Active deployments in Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Sudan

Energy

Pakistan's energy sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with a significant portion of electricity generated from natural gas and coal. The country is striving to improve electricity access, currently achieving 95% electrification for the total population.

Electricity consumption: 145.357 billion kWh (2023)
Installed capacity: 43.512 million kW (2023)
Fossil fuels contribution: 60.4% of total installed capacity (2023)
Nuclear energy: Contributes 17.4% of total electricity production (2023)

Environment

Pakistan faces pressing environmental challenges, including water pollution, deforestation, and limited freshwater resources. The country's climate primarily consists of hot, dry desert regions, contributing to various environmental issues.

Water pollution: Major issue from sewage and agricultural runoff
Deforestation: Continues at a concerning rate
Climate change agreements: Party to multiple international environmental accords

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in Pakistan includes a mix of road networks, railways, and ports, facilitating both domestic and international trade.

Total railways: 11,881 km (2021)
Airports: 117 (2025)
Merchant marine: Includes 60 vessels (2023)
Major ports: Key ports include Gwadar and Karachi

Communications

Pakistan has made significant strides in expanding telecommunications, with high mobile subscription rates and an increasing number of internet users.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 193 million (2024)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 2.573 million (2023)
Internet users: 27% of the population (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	257,047,044	(2025 est.)
Area	796,095 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$1.39 trillion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	5.5%	(2024)
Energy consumption per capita	14.076 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Birth rate	25.05 births/1,000 people	(2025 est.)
Life expectancy	70.3 years	(2024 est.)
Literacy rate	58.9%	(2021 est.)
Military expenditures	2.5% of GDP	(2024 est.)
Urban population	38%	of total population (2023)