Islamabad (HRNW)- Pakistan’s poverty rate has increased to 28.9 percent, while more than 800,000 citizens went abroad in search of employment during the last fiscal year, according to figures presented in the Economic Survey 2025-26.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the Economic Survey in the National Assembly, revealing that poverty levels have risen across both urban and rural areas. According to the survey, the poverty rate in urban areas increased from 11 percent to 17.4 percent, while in rural areas it rose from 28.2 percent to 36.2 percent.
The survey also reported that the national literacy rate stands at 63 percent, indicating continued progress in the education sector.
Provincial data showed that Balochistan remains the poorest province with a poverty rate of 47 percent, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 35.3 percent, Sindh at 32.6 percent, and Punjab at 23.3 percent.
Analysts say the latest poverty figures have sparked debate about the country’s economic situation and government performance.
The Economic Survey further revealed that out of the 800,000 Pakistanis who sought employment abroad during the year, approximately 530,000 migrated to Saudi Arabia. Around 68,000 moved to Qatar, while 52,000 traveled to the United Arab Emirates. The number of Pakistanis heading to the United Kingdom and Oman also declined significantly.
In the energy and industrial sectors, the survey highlighted mixed trends. Natural gas and oil production recorded declines, while coal production increased by 6.5 percent. Iron ore production registered a remarkable 41 percent increase, which economists view as a positive sign for the country’s mining and industrial sectors.
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