Pakistan: housing

What share of people in Pakistan own their home?

82% of households in Pakistan lived in a dwelling they owned in 2024-25, down from 84% in 2018-19, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES), as shown in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26.

The survey asks households whether they own, rent or occupy their home rent-free. Ownership is far higher in rural areas, where families commonly live in houses they built themselves, than in cities, where renting is more common. Owning a home does not say anything about its size or condition; the same survey reports 89% of households with a flush toilet, up from 80%.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Social Protection · PBS: PSLM and HIES surveys

How fast are rents rising in Pakistan?

The house rent index in Pakistan's urban consumer price index was 6.12% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, and the rural index 7.78% higher, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Monthly Review on Price Indices for September 2026. Rent was unchanged from August in both.

House rent carries a weight of 19.3% in the urban CPI, the largest single item, so it moves headline inflation. The wider housing, water, electricity, gas and fuels group rose 9.80% in urban areas, driven more by energy than by rent. The index tracks rents for the same kinds of homes over time and is not a measure of average rent levels in any city.

Official sources: PBS: Monthly Review on Price Indices, September 2026 (Word) · PBS: Monthly inflation report, September 2026

How fast are construction costs rising in Pakistan?

The construction input items index in Pakistan's urban consumer price index was 6.24% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Monthly Review on Price Indices for September 2026. It rose 0.29% from August.

PBS also publishes average monthly prices of building materials, such as cement, bricks and steel bars, in urban and rural areas as spreadsheets on its monthly inflation page. These give price levels, while the index gives the rate of change. Labour costs are tracked separately as construction wage rates.

Official sources: PBS: Monthly Review on Price Indices, September 2026 (Word) · PBS: Monthly inflation report, September 2026

What tax is paid on buying or selling property in Pakistan?

From 1 July 2026, advance income tax on the purchase of immovable property is 1.25% of its fair market value, and advance tax on a sale or transfer is 2.75% of the price received, according to the Finance Act 2026 published by the Federal Board of Revenue (sections 236K and 236C of the Income Tax Ordinance).

These are federal advance taxes collected when property is registered or transferred; they can be adjusted against the final income tax bill. Provincial governments add their own stamp duty, registration fees and annual property tax, so the total cost of a transaction depends on the province. The FBR also sets the valuation tables used as fair market value.

Official sources: FBR: Finance Act 2026 (PDF)

Is there an official house price index in Pakistan?

No official house price index was found on the sites of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and the Finance Division, checked on 15 October 2026. The State Bank of Pakistan site could not be checked because it blocked automated requests.

The nearest official measures are the house rent index in the consumer price index, which rose 6.12% a year in urban areas in September 2026, and the construction input price index, which rose 6.24%, both in the PBS Monthly Review on Price Indices. Property values for tax purposes are set by FBR valuation tables, which are revised periodically and are not a market price index. Listing prices from property websites are not official statistics.

Official sources: PBS: Monthly Review on Price Indices, September 2026 (Word) · PBS: price statistics

What is Pakistan's urbanisation rate?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 39.5%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 20th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 78.4%. World rank, highest first: 151st of 193.

How many people in Pakistan live in slums?

According to UN-Habitat, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Pakistan was 56.0% in 2022. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2006. It is 2nd highest of 19 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 10.9%. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 170.

What is the electricity access rate in Pakistan?

95.7%: that is the share of people with access to electricity in Pakistan for 2024, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 100.0%; Pakistan is 17th highest of 22. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 129th highest.

How many people in Pakistan have clean water?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 45.0%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 89.0%; Pakistan is 16th highest of 17. Worldwide: 100th of 134.

What share of homes in Pakistan cook with clean fuels?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Pakistan was 51.0%, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 99.5%; Pakistan is 19th highest of 22. Worldwide: 137th of 192.