World Bank Report: 44.7% of Pakistan’s Population Now Below Poverty Line
According to a recent report by the **World Bank**, **44.7% of Pakistan’s population** is now living below the poverty line, an increase from **39.8%** previously. The global financial institution’s report highlights a **shift in poverty thresholds** for low-middle-income countries, raising the daily income benchmark for poverty from **\$3.65** to **\$4.20** per person.
This adjustment has significantly impacted the poverty rate in Pakistan, pushing it to **44.7%**, with the country’s **poorest population** accounting for **16.5%**, earning less than **\$3 per day**. On the other hand, **upper-middle-income individuals** in Pakistan earn about **\$8.50 per day**, and **88.4% of Pakistan’s total population** falls within this category.
The World Bank’s poverty statistics are based on data from **2017**, with the population then estimated at **206 million**. Since then, a **new national census** was conducted in **2023**, and the number of Pakistanis living below the poverty line has surged to **around 90 million**, reflecting a disturbing rise in poverty over the last six years.
The report underscores a growing challenge for Pakistan, where economic and income disparities are becoming more pronounced, and urgent measures are needed to address the expanding poverty crisis.
