Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
38 NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
FY2023, it recorded negative growth of 3.31%, due to a decline in the production of natural gas, crude
oil, and exploration cost, following a sharp contraction of 6.66% in the previous year.
Another key component of the industrial sector, construction—which contributed 12.44% to industry
and 2.29% to GDP—registered negative growth of 9.25% in FY2023. This decline was primarily
attributed to conservative reporting of construction-related expenditures by both private and public
sector enterprises, as well as an unusual increase in the relevant deflator, namely the Wholesale Price
Index (WPI) for building materials. In contrast, the Electricity, Gas, and Water Supply sector, which
accounts for 14.26% of industry and 2.63% of GDP, posted a growth of 9.95%. A key factor behind
this positive trend was the 28.0% increase in Public Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) during
FY2022 within this sector. The lag effect of this investment significantly contributed to the growth
observed. Table 1.5 presents the gross value added for the years 2021-22 and 2022-23 at constant basic
prices, the growth rates for 2022-23 over 2021-22, and the respective shares of industrial sub-sectors in
the industry and total GDP of the country (a relative view of gross value added of the industrial sub-
sectors is given in Figure 1.11).
Table 1.5: GVA of Industry at Constant Basic Prices of 2015-16
(Rs. Million)
S.No.
Industrial Sectors
2021-22(F)
2022-23(R)
Growth rate (%)
2022-23/ 2021-22
Share in
Industry (%)
Share in
GDP (%)
1
Mining and Quarrying
651,208
629,670
-3.31
8.82
1.62
2
Manufacturing
4,864,350
4,606,868
-5.29
64.48
11.88
i.
Large Scale
3,626,559
3,268,778
-9.87
45.75
8.43
ii.
Small Scale
768,249
838,435
9.14
11.74
2.16
iii.
Slaughtering
469,542
499,655
6.41
6.99
1.29
3
Electricity, Gas and
Water Supply
926,804
1,019,017
9.95
14.26
2.63
4
Construction
979,221
888,670
-9.25
12.44
2.29
Total
7,421,583
7,144,225
-3.74
18.43 Note: F stands for final and R for revised estimates.
Figure 1.11: GVA Contribution of Industrial Sub-sectors
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 39
1.7.3 Services Sector The services sector mantained the largest share of nearly 58% in GDP for the last several years. In FY2023, the sector recorded a slight contraction of 0.01%, with mixed performance across industries. The Wholesale and Retail Trade industry, accounting for 31.06% of services and 18.15% of GDP, declined by 3.99%, primarily due to a 1.03% drop in crop output and a 9.87% decline in large-scale manufacturing. On the contrary, Transportation and Storage, the second-largest services sector, and Accommodation and Food Services activities grew by 3.76% and 4.14%, respectively. However, Information and Communication contracted by 0.82%.
The Finance and Insurance industry shrank significantly by 9.42%, largely due to a high CPI-
based deflator. Real estate activities grew by 3.66%, while Public Administration and Social Security
saw a 7.02% decline, also attributed to the high deflator. Education witnessed a growth of 5.15% due
to public sector expenditure, and Human Health and Social Work activities increased by 8.87%, due to
the general government. Growth in other private services was 4.27%. Table 1.6 presents the gross value
added for the years 2021-22 and 2022-23 at constant basic prices, the growth rates for 2022-23 over
2021-22, and the respective shares of services sub-sectors in the services sector and total GDP of the
country (A relative view of gross value added of the services sub-sectors is given in Figure 1.12). 21
Table 1.6: GVA of Services Sector at Constant Basic Prices of 2015-16
(Rs. Million)
S.No.
Services Sectors
2021-22(F)
2022-23(R)
Growth rate (%)
2022-23/ 2021-22
Share in
Services
(%)
Share in
GDP
(%)
1
Wholesale and Retail Trade
7,325,882
7,033,762
-3.99
31.06
18.15
2
Transport and Storage
3,980,936
4,130,519
3.76
18.24
10.66
3
Accommodation and Food
Services Activities (Hotels &
Restaurants)
541,222
563,604
4.14
2.49
1.45
4
Information and Communication
1,125,119
1,115,886
-0.82
4.93
2.88
5
Finance and Insurance Activities
730,220
661,448
-9.42
2.92
1.71
6
Real Estate Activities
2,156,942
2,235,936
3.66
9.88
5.77
7
Public Administration and Social
Security (General Government)
1,853,122
1,722,958
-7.02
7.61
4.44
8
Education
1,071,646
1,126,861
5.15
4.98
2.91
9
Human Health and Social Work
Activities
600,835
654,153
8.87
2.89
1.69
10
Other Private Services
3,257,106
3,396,145
4.27
15.00
8.76
Total
22,643,030
22,641,272
-0.01
58.41 Note: F stands for final and R for revised estimates.
21 Additional data sources for the Economy section, beyond those mentioned in the text, include the Pakistan Economic Surveys for 2022-23 and 2023-24, as well as the National Accounts tables available on the PBS website: https://www.pbs.gov.pk/content/national-accounts.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
40 NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
Figure 1.12: GVA Contribution in the Services Sector of the Economy
1.8 Health
Healthcare is recognized as a basic human right in
Pakistan’s Constitution, emphasizing the
importance of a healthy population for economic
productivity and national development. Pakistan is
committed to providing equitable access to health
and nutrition services for all, aligned with
international standards and the country’s
commitment to achieving the health and well-being
targets of SDG 3. The National Health Vision 2016-
2025 outlines a reform agenda aimed at improving
the public health delivery system t hrough carefully
planned, needs-based interventions.
In Pakistan, approximately 53% of healthcare services are delivered by the private sector, while the
public sector accounts for the remaining 47%. 22 Since the devolution of the health sector to the
provinces under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, each province has been responsible for designing
its own health strategies. Despite these efforts, significant gaps remain in meeting the healthcare needs
of the population, and the quality of public healthcare services—where most low-income individuals
seek care—is often inadequate. Some provincial efforts are underway to improve access to and quality
of healthcare facilities. Additionally, the federal government implements programs such as the National
Maternal and Child Health Programme and initiatives to control malaria, TB, and HIV/AIDS. However,
Pakistan still faces challenges in advancing its healthcare system to reach standards seen in more
22 National Health Accounts, 2021-22, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Key Health/ RH Indicators • Infant Mortality Rate: 60 • Maternal Mortality Ratio: 186 • Life Expectancy: 67.3 years • Total Fertility Rate: 3.7 • Contraceptive Prevalence Rate: 34%
Source: HIES 2018-19 and Pakistan
Demographic and Health Survey,
2019 in Pakistan Economic Survey
2022-23
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT 41
developed countries. As a low -income country, Pakistan allocated 1% of its GDP (federal and
provincial health expenditures) to public healthcare expenditure in 2021-22.23
1.8.1 Healthcare System
The healthcare system in Pakistan includes both
public and private health facilities. Public sector
services are offered at the federal, provincial, and
district levels through a network of rural health
centers, basic health units, dispensaries, and
district/tehsil headquarters hospitals, supported by
medical pr ofessionals. With growing population
pressure on public health institutions, the private
sector has increasingly helped meet the rising
demand where public facilities are limited. The
number of private hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic
labs has grown significantly, especially in urban areas, contributing notably to healthcare services
across the country.
Pakistan National Health Accounts 2021 -22 estimates total health expenditures in Pakistan at
Rs. 1,962 billion, marking an increase of Rs. 496 billion, or about 34%, from the fiscal year 2019-20 in
nominal terms. In 2021-22, financing sources show that the general government contributed 47% of the
total health expenditures, while the private sector accounted for 52.6%. Of this private sector share,
89% was out-of-pocket (OOP) spending by households. Contributions from development partners or
donor organizations represented a small share, making up 0.4% of total health expenditures.
1.8.2 Healthcare Delivery System
I. Primary Healthcare
Primary healthcare is the first point of contact for most patients, especially in rural areas, where it offers
both preventive and curative services. Basic Health Units (BHUs), located at the Union Council level,
serve a population of approximately 25,000 people. These facilities provide preventive, curative, and
referral services and support Lady Health Workers (LHWs) with clinical, logistical, and managerial
assistance. As of 2022, there are 5,520 BHUs operating across Pakistan. Rural Health Centres (RHCs)
serve as a further level of care, catering to a catchment area of up to 100,000 people.
1.8.2.1 Secondary Healthcare
This intermediate level of healthcare provides technical, therapeutic, and diagnostic services and
functions as the first referral level, operating at the district and tehsil levels. It includes specialist
consultations and hospital admissions. Tehsil Headquarter and District Headq uarter Hospitals serve
populations ranging from 0.5 to 3 million people. These facilities offer a wide range of services,
including basic and comprehensive emergency care, obstetric services, preventive and curative care,
23 PRSP Budgetary Expenditures (Finance Division) in Pakistan Economic Survey, 2023 -24.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
42 NATIONAL CENSUS REPORT
diagnostics, and inpatient services. They also handle referrals from Basic Health Units (BHUs), Rural Health Centres (RHCs), and the Lady Health Workers Programme. 1.8.2.2 Tertiary Healthcare Tertiary healthcare hospitals offer specialized inpatient care and provide advanced healthcare services, typically to inpatients and those referred by primary or secondary healthcare providers.
Tables 1.7 and 1.8 provide important information on healthcare access in Pakistan. Table 1.7
lists the number of healthcare institutions across the country, including hospitals, dispensaries, RHCs,
TB clinics, BHUs, and Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Centers. Table 1.8 outlines the availability
of healthcare personnel, such as doctors, dentists, and nurses, and their accessibility to the population.
Table 1.7: Healthcare Institutions, 2018-22
Year
Health Institutions
Hospitals
Dispensaries
Rural Health
Centres(RHCs)
TB
Clinics
Basic Health
Units (BHUs)
Mother and
Child Health
Centres
2018
1279
5671
686
441
5527
747
2019
1282
5743
670
412
5472
752
2020
1289
5849
719
410
5561
752
2021
1276
5832
736
416
5559
781
2022
1284
5584
697
417
5520
798
Sources: PM&DC, Nursing Council, Provincial Health Directorates & PBS
Table 1.8: Healthcare Personnel, 2018-22
Manpower
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023(P)
Registered Doctors
220,829
233,261
245,987
266,430
282,383
299,113
Registered Dentists
22,595
24,930
27,360
30,501
33,156
36,032
Registered Nurses
108,474
112,123
116,659
121,245
127,855
127,855
Population per Doctor
964
936
911
862
834
Population per Dentist 9,426 8,760 8,186 7,530 7,104
Population per Bed 1,611 1,634 1,523 1,573 1,553
Sources: PM&DC, Nursing Council, Provincial Health Directorates & PBS
1.8.3 Family Planning and Primary Health Care
Under the Family Planning and Primary Health Care Programs, over 100,000 Lady Health Workers (LHWs) were recruited to improve rural health. Their services have positively impacted the health of women and children by promoting better sanitation, birth spacing, iron supplementation, expanded vaccination coverage, and prenatal and postnatal care. Despite the Population Welfare Program being in place since the 1960s, access to quality services