Above 10m households drive economy, reveals economic census

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first-ever digital economic census has revealed that 10.9 million households across the country are engaged in economic activities or running micro businesses.

The economic census results, prepared by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), were launched by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal launched during a ceremony in Islamabad on Thursday.

On the occasion, the minister said the dataset would enable evidence-based decision-making, scientific planning and more efficient use of resources. “This report marks a significant milestone in our economic history.”

I was pleased to launch first ever Economic Census results done by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), a historic milestone that provides Pakistan’s first comprehensive, digital snapshot of economic activities across the country.

Addressing the event as Chief Guest I… pic.twitter.com/FrSNQvB0SD

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) August 21, 2025

He stressed that the recognition of millions of household-based economic activities underscored the role of women in value creation and highlighted opportunities for micro and small entrepreneurs.

“The growing interest in household-based economic activity will help empower women and strengthen small and medium enterprises (SMEs).”

Leading household economic activity

According to the economic census, animal farming accounts for over half (51.35%) of the households involved in economic activity.

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Miscellaneous or unspecified activities make up about 41%, followed by tailoring (3.85%), embroidery (1.36%), poultry farming (1.32%), and tuition services (0.56%).

Smaller proportions are involved in food preparation and packing, beauty parlors, and online services, each representing less than 1 %.

The census, which geo-tagged 40 million buildings nationwide, identified 7.2 million entities engaged in economic activities.

Of these, 2.7 million are retail businesses, 88,000 wholesale businesses, 23,000 factories and 643,000 small production units.

Moreover, there are also 242,000 schools, 36,331 madaris, 11,568 colleges, 214 universities, and 119,000 health facilities across the country.

Around 6,000 places of worship were also recorded.

Accurate data imperative to shape policy

The minister emphasised that the economic census would help bring the undocumented economy into the mainstream while also improving service delivery in education, health and governance.

PBS Chief Statistician Dr Naeem Uz Zafar said the census marked “a milestone in the country’s economic history,” adding that modern economies increasingly rely on accurate data to shape policy and investment.

This economic census is part of a broader data initiative by PBS in 2025, which also includes agriculture and livestock censuses.

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Officials said the consolidated information would play a central role in shaping Pakistan’s future economic and social development strategies.