Pakistan has released the results of its latest Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024–25. The government described it as a key step toward data-driven policymaking and economic recovery.
The survey was launched on January 1, 2026, by Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, at a ceremony in Islamabad. The event was attended by senior officers from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), the Ministry of Planning, and members of the Technical Committee.
According to PBS, HIES 2024–25 is the country’s first fully digital household survey. It covered 32,000 households nationwide and was completed using a digital management system. The survey provides detailed insights into social and economic conditions, supporting evidence-based planning and policymaking.
The survey shows significant improvements in digital access. Household ownership of mobile phones or smartphones has risen to 96 percent, while internet access increased from 34 percent to 70 percent. Individual internet usage more than tripled, reaching 57 percent.
Education and health indicators also improved. Gender parity at primary school level rose from 92 to 96 percent. Neonatal mortality fell from 41 to 35 deaths per 1,000 live births, while infant mortality declined from 60 to 47. The total fertility rate slightly decreased from 3.7 to 3.6 children per woman.
Household use of cleaner fuels, including natural gas, LPG, biogas, solar energy, and electricity, increased to 38 percent. On the economic front, household income and consumption also showed growth. Food accounted for 37 percent of household spending, followed by housing and fuel at 26 percent. Other major expenses included restaurants and hotels (6.63%), clothing and footwear (6.28%), and transport (6.21%).
Addressing the ceremony, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the Ministry of Planning and PBS’s transformation into modern, data-driven institutions. He noted that Pakistan’s first digital population census, the Digital Agriculture Census, and the Economic Survey of Pakistan were major national achievements.
The minister acknowledged past planning weaknesses and global shocks like the Covid-19 pandemic. However, he expressed confidence in economic recovery, projecting around 4 percent GDP growth this fiscal year. He also stressed tackling the “education emergency,” noting 25 million children remain out of school.
PBS emphasized that HIES 2024–25 reflects significant progress in education, health, digital access, and household income, providing a strong foundation for evidence-based policymaking.
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