The share of urban population in Pakistan saw no significant changes in 2023 in comparison to the previous year 2022 and remained at around 38.04 percent. Still, the share reached its highest value in the observed period in 2023. A country's urbanization rate refers to the share of the total population living in an urban setting. International comparisons of urbanization rates may be inconsistent, due to discrepancies between definitions of what constitutes an urban center (based on population size, area, or space between dwellings, among others).Find more key insights for the share of urban population in countries like Bhutan and Afghanistan.

Urban population growth (annual %) in Pakistan was reported at 2.3603 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Pakistan - Urban population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Pakistan PK: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 2.526 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.574 % for 2016. Pakistan PK: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 3.623 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.556 % in 1960 and a record low of 2.526 % in 2017. Pakistan PK: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

In 2023, the share of urban population in Pakistan remained nearly unchanged at around 38.04 percent. Nevertheless, 2023 still represents a peak in the share in Pakistan with 38.04 percent. A country's urbanization rate refers to the share of the total population living in an urban setting. International comparisons of urbanization rates may be inconsistent, due to discrepancies between definitions of what constitutes an urban center (based on population size, area, or space between dwellings, among others).

Pakistan PK: Population: Male: Ages 45-49: % of Male Population data was reported at 4.367 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.357 % for 2016. Pakistan PK: Population: Male: Ages 45-49: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 4.124 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.389 % in 1964 and a record low of 3.385 % in 1999. Pakistan PK: Population: Male: Ages 45-49: % of Male Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 45 to 49 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Pakistan PK: Rural Population Growth data was reported at 1.627 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.673 % for 2016. Pakistan PK: Rural Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 2.224 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.024 % in 1983 and a record low of 1.627 % in 2017. Pakistan PK: Rural Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

In 2022, roughly 43 percent of Bhutan's population resided in urban areas. Comparatively, approximately 19 percent of Sri Lanka's population lived in urban areas in 2022.

Urbanization in the APAC region

The Asia-Pacific region is currently experiencing a significant trend towards urbanization, with a growing number of individuals relocating from rural areas to urban centers in pursuit of improved economic prospects. From 2015 to 2020, there was an increase in the urban population throughout Asia. The projection for the region indicates a continuation of urbanization, although at a decelerated rate. As of 2021, a third of the entire population of India resided in urban areas. The data shows a notable upsurge in urbanization in India over the past ten years, indicating a shift of the populace from rural to urban centers in search of employment opportunities and livelihood.

 Population of megacities in APAC 

The APAC region is home to some of the world's most populous megacities. According to recent data, in 2023, the annual metropolitan population growth rate of China surpassed that of other megacities in the APAC region. In contrast to other cities, the three megacities in Japan, namely Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, exhibited the lowest annual population growth rates. That same year, the APAC region was home to 28 megacities, more than ten of which were in China. India, Japan, and Pakistan also had more than once megacity each as of January 2023.

PK: Population: Female: Ages 40-44: % of Female Population data was reported at 5.233 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.169 % for 2016. PK: Population: Female: Ages 40-44: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 4.515 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.233 % in 2017 and a record low of 4.003 % in 1994. PK: Population: Female: Ages 40-44: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 40 to 44 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Pakistan PK: Urban Population data was reported at 71,796,554.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 70,005,347.000 Person for 2016. Pakistan PK: Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 31,121,090.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71,796,554.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 9,926,529.000 Person in 1960. Pakistan PK: Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Sum;

Pakistan PK: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 39.700 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 39.224 % for 2016. Pakistan PK: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 30.203 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 39.700 % in 2017 and a record low of 22.104 % in 1960. Pakistan PK: Urban Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2014 Revision.; Weighted average;

In 2023, the share of urban population in Nepal increased by 0.5 percentage points (+2.33 percent) compared to 2022. With 21.9 percent, the share thereby reached its highest value in the observed period. Notably, the share continuously increased over the last years.The urban population refers to the share of the total population living in urban centers. Each country has their own definition of what constitutes an urban center (based on population size, area, or space between dwellings, among others), therefore international comparisons may be inconsistent.Find more key insights for the share of urban population in countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan.

PK: Population: Female: Ages 50-54: % of Female Population data was reported at 3.866 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.839 % for 2016. PK: Population: Female: Ages 50-54: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 3.084 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.866 % in 2017 and a record low of 2.949 % in 2003. PK: Population: Female: Ages 50-54: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 50 to 54 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Pakistan PK: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data was reported at 1.921 % in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.318 % for 2010. Pakistan PK: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 2.655 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.769 % in 1990 and a record low of 1.921 % in 2015. Pakistan PK: International Migrant Stock: % of Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. International migrant stock is the number of people born in a country other than that in which they live. It also includes refugees. The data used to estimate the international migrant stock at a particular time are obtained mainly from population censuses. The estimates are derived from the data on foreign-born population--people who have residence in one country but were born in another country. When data on the foreign-born population are not available, data on foreign population--that is, people who are citizens of a country other than the country in which they reside--are used as estimates. After the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 people living in one of the newly independent countries who were born in another were classified as international migrants. Estimates of migrant stock in the newly independent states from 1990 on are based on the 1989 census of the Soviet Union. For countries with information on the international migrant stock for at least two points in time, interpolation or extrapolation was used to estimate the international migrant stock on July 1 of the reference years. For countries with only one observation, estimates for the reference years were derived using rates of change in the migrant stock in the years preceding or following the single observation available. A model was used to estimate migrants for countries that had no data.; ; United Nations Population Division, Trends in Total Migrant Stock: 2008 Revision.; Weighted average;

Pakistan PK: Rural Population data was reported at 125,219,401.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 123,198,129.000 Person for 2016. Pakistan PK: Rural Population data is updated yearly, averaging 71,910,572.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 125,219,401.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 34,981,764.000 Person in 1960. Pakistan PK: Rural Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Sum;

Descriptive statistics of the data series.

PK: Population: Female: Ages 70-74: % of Female Population data was reported at 1.307 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.313 % for 2016. PK: Population: Female: Ages 70-74: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 1.048 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.318 % in 2015 and a record low of 0.961 % in 1971. PK: Population: Female: Ages 70-74: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 70 to 74 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Pakistan PK: Population: Growth data was reported at 1.954 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.999 % for 2016. Pakistan PK: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 2.565 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.360 % in 1983 and a record low of 1.954 % in 2017. Pakistan PK: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Pakistan PK: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 60.300 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 60.776 % for 2016. Pakistan PK: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 69.797 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.896 % in 1960 and a record low of 60.300 % in 2017. Pakistan PK: Rural Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2014 Revision.; Weighted average;

Pakistan PK: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 20.922 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 20.928 % for 2016. Pakistan PK: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 21.610 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.038 % in 1980 and a record low of 18.670 % in 1960. Pakistan PK: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Pakistan – Table PK.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.; ; United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.; Weighted average;

The literacy rate measures the percentage of people aged 15 and above who are able to read and write. In 2019, Pakistan's total literacy rate was around 58 percent, with less than 46.49 percent of women being literate and more than 69.29 percent of men.

Women in Pakistan need education

In Pakistan, women’s education is in dire need of improvement, and so far, the number of illiterate women has not decreased - on the contrary, it has been going up for years. Although education for both genders is not prohibited in Pakistan, women are generally not as well educated as men. But it doesn’t stop there: Pakistan is one of the countries deemed worst for women in general when it comes to quality of life and safety.

Economy and education

Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim country with a low urbanization rate, meaning the majority of its population live in rural areas, where education is traditionally harder to come by than in cities. Pakistan is still a developing country, and typically, most of the inhabitants work in the primary sector, since Pakistan is rich in arable land. However, the tertiary sector generates the lion’s share of GDP. If the country wants to make the leap to being a developed nation, education and equality need to be higher on the list.