ISLAMABAD: According to the World Bank, 44.7% of Pakistan’s population now lives below the poverty line, up from 39.8% previously.
The report issued by the World Bank states that for lower-middle-income countries, the international poverty line has been adjusted to $4.20 per day per person, whereas previously it was considered $3.65 per day. As a result, the poverty level in Pakistan has increased to 44.7%.
The report also indicates that the country’s poorest population accounts for 16.5%, with a daily income of $3 per person, while the upper-middle-income group earns around $8.50 per day. Additionally, 88.4% of Pakistan’s total population falls below this revised threshold.
These poverty statistics are based on the 2017 population data. However, Pakistan conducted a new population census in 2023.
According to the 2017 census, the country’s total population was approximately 20.6 crore (206 million), which has increased to over 21.9 crore (219 million) by 2023. The number of people living in poverty has risen from around 8.5 crore (85 million) to approximately 9 crore (90 million).
