Country Profile: Pakistan

Pakistan, officially known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is located in Southern Asia, bordered by India, Iran, Afghanistan, and China. It features a diverse geography, including the world's second-highest mountain, K2, and the fertile Indus River plain, which is home to a significant portion of its population. With an estimated population of over 257 million in 2025, Pakistan is characterized by a predominantly Muslim society, rich cultural diversity, and a challenging economic landscape marked by high debt and corruption. The country is governed as a federal parliamentary republic and has a military that plays a substantial role in both national defense and political affairs.

Geography

Pakistan's geographic location has made it a historical crossroads of cultures and invasions. The country covers an area of 796,095 sq km, featuring a mix of mountainous regions, deserts, and fertile plains.

Coastline: 1,046 km along the Arabian Sea
Highest Point: K2 (8,611 m)
Major Rivers: Indus, Sutlej, and Chenab are crucial for water supply
Natural Resources: Includes natural gas, coal, iron ore, and arable land
Land Use: 46.7% of land is agricultural

People and Society

Pakistan's population is expected to reach 257,047,044 by 2025, with a youthful median age of 23.2 years. The nation is ethnically diverse, with Punjabis comprising the largest group, followed by Pashtuns and Sindhis.

Urban Population: 38% (2023)
Languages Spoken: Predominantly Urdu, Punjabi, and Pashto
Literacy Rate: 58.9% (2021)
Religious Composition: 96.4% Muslim
Population Growth Rate: 1.82% (2025)

Economy

As a lower middle-income nation, Pakistan faces considerable economic challenges, including high debt and endemic corruption. However, its agricultural sector remains robust and is a key component of the economy.

GDP (PPP): $1.39 trillion (2024 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 3.2% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 5.5% (2024 est.)
Exports: $40.219 billion (2024 est.)
Remittances: 9.4% of GDP (2024 est.)

Government

Pakistan operates as a federal parliamentary republic with a complex political structure and a significant military influence. The capital city is Islamabad, and recent elections took place in March 2024.

Government Type: Federal parliamentary republic
Recent President: Asif Ali Zardari (since March 2024)
Parliament Structure: Bicameral legislature (National Assembly and Senate)
Suffrage Age: 18 years
Last Election Date: 9 March 2024

Military and Security

The Pakistan Armed Forces are a critical component of the country's governance and security landscape, with approximately 650,000 active personnel. The military engages in both domestic security and international peacekeeping missions.

Military Expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Key Focus: Primarily external defense, notably against India
Military Deployments: Includes various international peacekeeping efforts
Nuclear Capability: 6 operational nuclear reactors (2025)
Military Service Age: Voluntary from 16-28 years

Energy

Pakistan's energy sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, although there is a growing push towards diversifying energy sources.

Electricity Access: 95% of the population (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 43.512 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 145.357 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 27.476 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Coal Consumption: 30.191 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues in Pakistan include water pollution, deforestation, and limited access to potable water, significantly impacting public health and resources.

Water Pollution: Major concern due to industrial runoff
Urbanization Rate: 2.1% annual growth (2020-2025 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 212.655 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Waste Recycling Rate: 13.8% of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)
Natural Hazards: Frequent earthquakes and flooding

Transportation

Pakistan has a growing transportation network with a mix of rail, air, and road systems, crucial for both domestic travel and trade.

Airports: 117 (2025)
Railways: Total length of 11,881 km (2021)
Merchant Marine: 60 vessels (2023)
Major Ports: Gwadar and Karachi are key ports for trade
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: AP

Communications

The communications infrastructure in Pakistan is expanding, with an increase in mobile and internet subscriptions.

Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 193 million (2024)
Fixed Line Subscriptions: 2.573 million (2023)
Internet Users: 27% of the population (2023 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 3.36 million (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	257,047,044	2025 estimate
Area	796,095 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$1.39 trillion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	5.5%	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	14.076 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	25.05 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy at Birth	70.3 years	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	58.9%	2021 estimate
Urban Population	38%	2023
Military Expenditures	2.5% of GDP	2024 estimate