ISLAMABAD: The first-ever digital census 2025 has unveiled that Pakistan’s unemployment rate stands at 7.8%, representing approximately 18,735,979 people out of the total population of 241,499,431. The Pakistan unemployment rate 2025 is higher among the working population, reaching 11% of 171,714,532 individuals, according to the detailed findings released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The census data highlights significant insights into Pakistan employment statistics 2025, revealing that 66,224,342 individuals are employed, while 23,157,355 hold paid positions. In addition, 11,180,092 are self-employed in agriculture and 13,094,997 in non-agricultural businesses. Unpaid helpers in agriculture number 9,786,839, while 5,266,482 assist in non-agricultural sectors.
Key Findings from Pakistan’s First Digital Census 2025
PBS officials reported that following the release of the key findings report in July 2024, 19 out of 30 detailed tables were published, covering population, literacy, and housing. The Pakistan literacy rate 2025 stands at 61%, with a noticeable gender gap—68% for males and 54% for females. Alarmingly, about 25.37 million children aged 5-16 (or 35.6%) remain out of school, posing a significant challenge.
Regarding Pakistan migration statistics 2025, the census reveals that 13,081,323 people, or 5.4% of the population, have migrated. This includes 8,555,730 intra-provincial migrants, 4,036,965 inter-provincial migrants, and 488,628 international migrants. The main reasons for migration were jobs (2,594,682), marriage (2,566,204), education (525,375), and family relocation (5,661,895).
Challenges Highlighted by the Digital Census 2025
The Pakistan population growth rate 2025 was recorded at 2.55% annually, pushing the total population to 241.4 million. The urban population makes up 39% while the rural population is 61%. This rapid growth underscores the urgency for job creation and education reforms to curb unemployment in Pakistan 2025.
To address these challenges, experts emphasize the need for targeted policies that support skill development, SME growth, and employment generation. The Pakistan census report 2025 offers detailed statistics to help policymakers design effective strategies.
