Pakistan Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Pakistan's poverty rate was 16.50% in 2018, ranked 78th globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from 2017. Data from World Bank, covering 1987–2018.
Overview
Pakistan's poverty rate stood at 16.50% in 2018, a decline of +0.40pp from 2015. Pakistan ranked 78th globally.
Pakistan's poverty rate has exhibited significant improvement over the past three decades. According to World Bank data, the all-time peak of 80.60% in 1987 starkly contrasts with the 2018 figure of 16.50%, representing a substantial decline. This reduction places Pakistan at 78th globally, surpassing countries like Lao PDR which ranked 15th with a 15.70% poverty rate in 2018. The 63.1 percentage point decrease in poverty rate between 1987 and 2018 is a notable achievement, reflecting improvements in economic growth, education, and healthcare. However, the still considerable poverty rate and its ranking ahead of several lower-middle-income countries underscore the need for continued efforts to address poverty in Pakistan. To maintain the trajectory of declining poverty, sustained economic growth, investments in human capital, and targeted social programs are essential, particularly in regions with high poverty rates.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 16.50% | −0.40pp | #78 |
| 2015 | 16.90% | −4.30pp | #73 |
| 2013 | 21.20% | −4.70pp | #72 |
| 2011 | 25.90% | −0.80pp | #71 |
| 2010 | 26.70% | −8.20pp | #76 |
| 2007 | 34.90% | −5.90pp | #64 |
| 2005 | 40.80% | −0.10pp | #69 |
| 2004 | 40.90% | −15.30pp | #69 |
| 2001 | 56.20% | +5.90pp | #41 |
| 1998 | 50.30% | +5.00pp | #46 |
| 1996 | 45.30% | −34.20pp | #35 |
| 1990 | 79.50% | −1.10pp | #22 |
| 1987 | 80.60% | – | #24 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Pakistan matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Pakistan's poverty rate was 16.50% in 2018. Ranked 78th globally. This represents a 2.4% decrease from the previous year.
Pakistan's poverty rate peaked at 80.60% in 1987.
The lowest poverty rate in Pakistan was 16.50% in 2018.
Pakistan ranks 78th globally in poverty rate as of 2018.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Pakistan in 2018 was 16.50%. This ranks 78th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_pakistan_poverty-rate,
title = {Pakistan Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/pakistan/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}