Islamabad: A research report has flagged a sharp rise in poverty in Pakistan over the past six years, as the country prepares to present its budget soon.
According to the report, the share of people living below the poverty line has increased by seven percentage points during the period. It estimates that around 27 million people were newly pushed below the poverty line.
With this, the number of people living in poverty is said to have climbed to about 70 million. The poverty rate, which stood at 21.9% in 2018–19, has risen to 28.9% in 2024–25.
Pakistan’s population is estimated at 259 million, the report noted. Balochistan recorded the highest poverty level, with about 47% of its people living in poverty.
The report attributed the worsening situation to rising prices of essential goods, depreciation of the Pakistani rupee, and the impact of conflict in West Asia.
