Pakistan’s population growth rate among world’s highest, census reveals

Pakistan’s population growth rate is among the highest in the world and if it persists, the country’s population will double by 2050, according to the results of its 7th Population and Housing Census.

Pakistan’s current population growth rate is 2.55%, the highest in the region. Overall, Pakistan’s growth rate places it at 191, with only 27 countries — mostly in sub-Saharan Africa — having higher growth rates.

Since its inception, Pakistan has conducted seven censuses. The last one was conducted in 2017.

According to the latest census, Pakistan’s population is over 241 million.

Punjab remains the most populous province, housing 52.9% of the country’s citizens, followed by Sindh at 23.1%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 16.9%, Balochistan at 6.2%, and the federal capital at 1.0%.

Interestingly, firewood remains the most common source for cooking, with 52.72% of households consuming it. Sui gas, LPG, and LNG follow closely, being utilized by 42.03% of households.

Kerosene oil, electricity, and biogas are each used by a small fraction of households, specifically 0.12%, 0.11%, and 0.11%, respectively. Animal dung is used by 3.88% of households, while 1.02% households use other sources.

According to the census, 84.03% of the population use grid electricity for lighting, 7.74% utilise solar panels, 1.23% use kerosene oil, and 7.0% use other sources.