Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
6 NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
recorded based on their self -reported sex, ensuring complete coverage as per the census
guidelines. This practice, while aiming to maximize inclusivity and coverage, might contribute
to the apparent underrepresentation of the transgender population in official statistics.
Population data by age and sex reveals that 50% of the population is under the age of
20, nearly 80% is below the age of 40, and only 20% is aged 40 or above. This demographic
trend has sig nificant economic implications. The rapid growth of the youth population may
place additional pressure on the country’s already limited economic resources, thus creating a
risk that the job market may struggle to absorb the influx of young workers, potentially leading
to higher unemployment, underemployment, and social unrest. To address these challenges and
ensure sustainable growth, strategic planning is essential. This includes investing in education,
enhancing skills development programs, and pursuing economic diversification to create more
opportunities for the growing youth population (o ther indicators such as sex-ratio, population
density, literacy and marital status are presented in detail in Chapter 4 “Demographic
Characteristics”).
The total number of housing units reported in the 7th Population and Housing Census
is 38.3 million, compared to 31.9 million in the 6th Population and Housing Census-2017 and
19.2 million in the 5th Population and Housing Census-1998. However, the average household
size has decreased to 6.3 persons, down from 6.4 in the 6th Population and Housing Census
and 6.8 in the 5th Population and Housing Census (other housing related indicators are
discussed in Chapter 5 “Housing Characteristics”).
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 7
2 Digital Census 2023 at a Glance
KEY INDICATORS CENSUS 2017 CENSUS 2023 Population Millions % Millions % Total Population 207.68
241.50
Punjab 109.99 52.96% 127.69 52.87% Sindh 47.85 23.04% 55.70 23.06% Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (inc. FATA) 30.51 17.09% 40.86 16.92% Balochistan 12.34 5.94% 14.89 6.17% Islamabad Capital Territory 2.00 0.96% 2.36 0.98% Male 106.32 51.19% 124.32 51.48% Female 101.34 48.80% 117.15 48.51% Transgender 0.02 0.01% 0.02 0.01% Rural Population 132.01 63.56% 147.61 61.12% Urban Population 75.67 36.44% 93.88 38.88% Average Annual Growth Rate (%) 2.40
2.55
Sex Ratio (male/female 100) 104.91
106.12
Population Density (persons per km2) 260.87
303.35
Population by Religion (%) Muslim 96.47 96.35 Christian 1.27 1.37 Hindu 1.73 1.61 Qadiani/Ahmadi 0.09 0.07 Scheduled Castes 0.41 0.56 Others 0.02 0.04 Marital Status (15 years and above) (%) Never Married 30.11 29.74 Married 64.79 66.13 Widowed 4.68 3.78 Divorced 0.42 0.35 Literacy (10 years and above) (%) Total 58.91 60.65 Male 67.78 68.00 Female 49.69 52.84 Out of School (5-16 years) (%) Total Out of School
35.60 Male
32.44 Female
38.99 Housing Units and Households Total Housing Units (in Millions) 31.92 38.29 Total Households (in Millions) 32.19 38.32 Average Household Size 6.39 6.33 Rural 6.55 6.36 Urban 6.12 6.28 Fuel Used for Cooking (%) Gas/LPG/LNG 37.86 42.03 Firewood 58.44 52.72 Others 3.70 5.25 Migration (in Millions)
13.08
Intra-provincial Migration
8.56 65.40% Inter-provincial Migration
4.04 30.86% Migration from Abroad
0.49 3.74% Employement (in Millions)
66.22
Paid Employee
23.16 34.9% Self-employed
24.28 36.66% Employer
3.74 5.65% Unpaid Family Helper
15.05 22.73% DIGITAL CENSUS 2023 AT A GLANCE
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
8 NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
3 Structure of National Census Report
This National Census Report of the 7th Population and Housing Census-2023 (The Digital
Census) is structured into six chapters. Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive country profile,
covering Pakistan’s physical features, topography, water resources, climate, flora and fauna,
administrative divisions, economy, health, and education.
Chapter 2 offers a detailed overview of Pakistan’s population and housing census
history, along with the rationale and requirements for conducting the Digital Census. Since an
innovative approach was required to effectively communicate with the stakeholders and the
public, as this was the first time PBS conducted the census digitally, the unique communication
strategy adopted during the 7th Population and Housing Census-2023 is also detailed in the
chapter at the end. The next, Chapter 3 presents key insights and summary results.
Chapters 4 and 5 provide an extensive overview of the demographic and
housing characteristics observed in the 7th Population and Housing Census-2023. These
chapters include information on indicators such as population growth, density, sex ratio, age
structure, literacy rate, educational attainment, marital status, prevalence of disability, number
of housing units, persons per room, house tenure, period of construction, materials used in the
construction of walls and roofs, sources of drinking water, sources of lighting, types of fuel
used for cooking and sources of information/communication within households.
The annexures including 30 statistical tables—with 19 focusing on population data, 6
on housing characteristics and 5 on listing information—census concepts and definitions,
census questionnaire, and country maps for the public understanding and facilitation are placed
at the end of the report.
Structure of NCR:
Chapter 1
General Description of Pakistan
Chapter 2
History and Methodology of Census
Chapter 3
Key Census Results and Insights
Chapter 4
Demographic Characteristics
Chapter 5
Housing Characteristics
Data Tables
Concepts and Definitions
Census Questionnaire and Maps STRUCTURE OF NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
Chapter-1
GENERAL DECRIPTION OF PAKISTAN
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 9
1 General Description of Pakistan
Pakistan has a rich history dating back nearly
5,000 years to the Indus Valley Civilization (ca.
2500-1600 B.C.). Due to its strategic location, the
subcontinent has been attracting a series of
invaders—Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Arabs,
Turks, and others —each contributing to
furthering a layer of complexity into the already
intricate culture. Islam was introduced in the early
8th century. Subsequently, a succession of
Muslim dynasties ruled from Delhi for the period
from the early 13 th century to the middle of the
19th century when the subcontinent was
ultimately ruled by the British Crown.
Historically, Gandhara occupying
present-day Pakistani districts of Swat, Buner and Bajaur, was the main centre of Buddhism in Pakistan.
Gandhara is the name of a semi-independent ancient kingdom (Mahajanapada located in modern day
northern Pakistan and parts of eastern Afghanistan. Gandhara was located mainly in the valley of
Peshawar, the Potohar plateau and on the Kabul River. Its main cities were Purushapura (modern
Peshawar), literally meaning “City of Man”, Varmayana (modern Bamyan) and Takshashila
(modernTaxila).
The Kingdom of Gandhara lasted from the early 1 st millennium BC to the 11th century AD. Its
peak period was from the 1st century to the 5th century under the Buddhist Kushan Kings. The Gandhāri
people were settled since the Vedic times on the banks of Kabul River (river Kubha or Kabol) down to
its confluence with the Indus. Later Gandhara included parts of northwest Punjab. Gandhara was located
on the northern trunk road (Uttarapatha) and served as a centre of international commercial activities.
It was an important channe l of communication with ancient Iran, India and Central Asi a. The
boundaries of Gandhara varied throughout history. Often the Peshawar valley and Taxila were
collectively referred t o as Gandhara and sometimes the Swat valley was also included. The heart of
Gandhara, however, was always the Peshawar valley. The kingdom was ruled from the capita ls at
Pushkalavati (Charsadda), Taxila, Purushapura (Peshawar) and in its final days from Udabhandapura
(Hund) on the Indus. According to the Puranas, they were named after Taksh a and Pushkara, the two
sons of Bharata, a prince of Ayodhya.
The Hindu term ‘Shahi’ is used by history writer Al-Biruni to refer to the ruling Hindu dynasty
that took over from the Turki Shahiand and ruled the regon during the period prior to Muslim conquests
of the 10 th and 11 th centuries. However, the name Gandhara disappeared after it wa s conquered by
Mahmud of Ghazni in 1021 CE. During Mughal Muslim period, the area was part of Lahore and Kabul
province.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PAKISTAN Gandhara Civilization Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
10 NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
Pakistan was emerged as a n independent country on 14 thAugust,1947 after partition of the sub-continent and end of Br itish rule from India. The country was the outcome of the Pakistan Movement primarily led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah , the Founder of the Nation. Pakistan was originally consisted upon two separate parts, t he Eastern Wing, which became an independent country in 1971 as present -day Bangladesh, and the Western Wing which constitutes the present -day Pakistan stretching from the mountains of Himalayas down to the Arabian Sea. Pakistan adopted its first Constitution in 1956 and became an Islamic Republic with a parliamentary form of government based on the Westminster model. In 1962, this form of government was changed to the presidential system when the second Constitution was adopted under the General Ayub Khan’s regime and the government was changed to the presidential system as practiced in the USA today. In 1973, Pakistan adopted a new Constitution reviving its previous parliamentary republic status with a federal government based in Islamabad. Pakistan became a federation of four provinces namely Punjab, Sindh, North-West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Balochistan, along with Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Islamabad Capital Territory, and “such States and territories as or may be included in Pakistan, whether by accession or otherwise (AJK and GB).”1 The 1973 Constitution defined the administrative structure and distribution of power between the federal and provincial governments, and the division of responsibilities between the P resident and the Prime Minister, the latter assuming greater authority than before.
1 The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan: As modified up to the February 28, 2012. Retrieved December 3,
2024, from https://na.gov.pk/uploads/documents/1333523681_951.pdf
Pakistan is located
between 23°-42’ and 36°-
55’ north latitudes and
60°-45’ and 75°-20’ east
longitudes.
LOCATION
It is bounded on the north
and north-west by
Afghanistan, on the east
and south east by India,
on the south by the
Arabian Sea, and on the
west by Iran.
The Peoples Republic of
China lies in the north and
north-east alongside
Gilgit-Baltistan.
Close along the northern
borders is the Central Asia
State of Tajikistan.
BOUNDARY
The total area of Pakistan
is 796, 096 square
kilometres.
Approximately 468,000
square kilometres in the
north and west consists of
mountains and plateaus,
while the remaining
328,096 square kilometres
comprises of plains and
dessert area.
AREA
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 11
Pakistan with a total population of 241,499,431 people as recorded in the Digital Census -2023 has become the fifth-most populous country in the world. In terms of land, it is the 33 rd largest country spread over an area of 796,096 square kilometres. It is located strategically in South Asia with a 1,046- kilometres (650-miles) coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south. Pakistan is bordered with India to the east, Afghanistan to the west, Iran to the southwest, and China to the far northeast. It is separated narrowly from Tajikistan by Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor in the northwest, and shares a maritime border with Oman. Pakistan has a diverse ethnic and linguistic background having a long history of settlement and civilization that includes some of the most ancient cultures including the Mehrgarh and the Indus Valley Civilization. Later, it became home to kingdoms ruled by people of different faiths and cultures, including Hindus, Indo-Greeks, Muslims, Turco-Mongols, Afghans, and Sikhs. The area was ruled by numerous empires and dynasties including the Persian Achaemenid Empire, Alexander III of Macedon, the Indian Mauryan Empire, the Arab Umayyad Caliphate, the Gupta Empire, the Delhi Sultanate, the Mongol Empire, the Mughal Empire, the Afghan Durrani Empire, the Sikh Empire (partially), and most recently, the British Empire.2
2 Some of the sources used for this section include:
• History Pak.com. Gandhara Civilization. Accessed May 21, 2018 for NCR-2017, from
https://historypak.com/gandhara-civilization/.
• Historical Chronology of Pakistan (n.d.). Barcelona Center for International Affairs. Retrieved December 3,
2024, from https://ocd.lcwu.edu.pk/cfiles/History/Min/His/202/ChronologyPakistan.pdf .
• Wynbrandt, J. (2009). A Brief History of Pakistan. Infobase Publishing.
Figure 1.1: Political map of Pakistan (Source: Survey of Pakistan)
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
12 NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
1.1 Physical Features and Topography Pakistan has diverse geographical and physical features comprising of mountains, plain fertile land and deserts. It consists of the flat Indus plain in the east, and the Balochistan plateau in the west. It has one of the world’s highest mountain ranges–the Karakoram Range in the north and northwest part of the country. The world’s second highest peak, the mighty K2 and the 62 kilometres long Baltoro Glacier, which is one of the longest glaciers outside the Earth’s Polar Regions, are also situated in Pakistan.
Pakistan can be divided into four major areas in terms of physical features and topography: i. Mountainous and hilly areas ii. Plateaus iii. Plains iv. Desert areas
1.1.1 Mountainous and Hilly Areas
The northern and western parts of Pakistan are
mountainous regions that constitute the southwest
extension of the Himalayan system. This mountainous
range is further sub-divided into:
i.
Northern mountains
ii.
Western bordering mountains
iii.
Sulaiman mountains and Kirthar hills
iv.
Mountains and hills of Sub-Himalayas, Siwaliks.
I. Northern Mountains
The entire northern region of the country lies at the
western part of the Himalayan Range and the Karakoram Range (Trans-Himalayan) covering an area
of 300 kms, most of which fall in the Kohistan District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A large part of the
Himalayas are situated in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir having a height of 4,600 metres above sea
level.
The Karakoram Range in the extreme north rises to an average height of 6,100 metres. The
second highest peak in the world K2 (Godwin Austen), which is 8,611 metres above sea level, lies in
Total Area: 796,096 km2
Highest Point: K2 (Mount
Godwin Austen)
8,611 m (28,251 ft)
Lowest Point: Arabian Sea
0 m (0.0 ft)
Longest River: Indus River
Largest Lake: Manchhar Lake
Deserts: Thar and Cholistan
Glaciers: Siachen, Hispar,
Biafo, Baltoro, and Batura.
Coastline: 700 km
Borders:
Total:
6,774 km
Afghanistan:
2,430 km
China:
595 km
India:
2,240 km
Iran:
909 km
Line of Control:
740 km
Geographical description at
a glance