ISLAMABAD: The average income of Pakistani citizens has increased by 97 percent over the past five years, reaching an average monthly level of Rs82,000, according to the latest Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
Furthermore, the government survey indicates that alongside rising incomes, household expenditures have also increased significantly.
In this regard, average household expenses rose by 113 percent, with monthly spending now estimated at Rs79,000. The findings indicate notable changes in living standards, consumption patterns, and access to basic services across the country.
Moreover, the highest increases in household spending were recorded on furnishings, household appliances, healthcare, food, and other goods and services. The report also mentions demographic pressures, noting a decline in the proportion of people living in self-owned homes due to population growth.
In this sense, home ownership fell from 84 percent in 2018–19 to 82 percent in the current survey period, while the share of people living in rented accommodation rose from 10 percent to 10.5 percent.
So far, the survey points to gradual improvements in access to cleaner energy sources. Over the past five years, the use of clean fuels increased from 35 percent to 38 percent nationwide. There has been a rise in the use of natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biogas, and solar energy for cooking and lighting purposes.
The proportion of households using hand pumps declined from 24 percent to 22 percent, while those using tap water increased from 18 percent to 22 percent. The use of filtered water rose from 9 percent to 10 percent. However, the report notes that around 7 percent of the population still lacks access to basic sanitation facilities, such as toilets.
The survey mentions the growing role of digital platforms in income generation. Among individuals earning through digital means, 88 percent reported using TikTok, while 86 percent were engaged in vlogging on YouTube.
The national literacy improved from 60 percent to 63 percent, while the proportion of out-of-school children declined from 30 percent to 28 percent. The HIES is a key national survey that provides a comprehensive assessment of Pakistan’s socio-economic conditions and supports evidence-based policymaking.
