Pakistan: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Pakistan?

Pakistan's unemployment rate was 7.1% in 2024-25, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2024-25, measured on the international (19th ICLS) definition. Of a labour force of 83.1 million, 5.9 million people were unemployed. The rate was 6.0% for men, 10.5% for women, 8.2% in urban areas and 6.5% in rural areas.

On the older (13th ICLS) definition PBS gives 6.9%, up from 6.3% in the 2020-21 survey, so check which basis a figure uses. The survey is not run every year: 2024-25 is the first full round since 2020-21. Labour force participation was 46.3%, and women's participation was far lower than men's.

Official sources: PBS: Labour Force Survey 2024-25 annual report · PBS: labour force statistics

What is the minimum wage in Pakistan?

The federal minimum wage was raised from Rs37,000 to Rs40,700 a month from 1 July 2026, according to a Finance Division office memorandum of 21 August 2026. The memo applies the floor to federal civil employees and contract staff; anyone whose gross salary is lower receives the difference as a taxable special allowance.

For private-sector workers, minimum wages are set by each province and the Islamabad Capital Territory under their own minimum wage laws, so the rate differs by province. Check the latest provincial notification before quoting a figure. The rate is a monthly gross amount for an unskilled adult worker, not take-home pay.

Official sources: Finance Division: office memorandum on minimum wage, 21 August 2026

What is the average salary in Pakistan?

Paid employees in Pakistan earned an average of Rs39,042 a month in 2024-25, up from Rs24,028 in 2020-21, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2024-25. Men averaged Rs39,302 and women Rs37,347.

The figure covers employees in their main job only; the self-employed, employers and unpaid family workers are excluded, and they make up a large part of the workforce. A few high earners pull the mean up, which is why the report also gives median wages by occupation. In rupee terms the rise since 2020-21 was smaller once inflation over the period is taken into account.

Official sources: PBS: Labour Force Survey 2024-25 annual report

How many people get an EOBI pension in Pakistan?

The Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) had 322,751 active old-age pensioners in March 2026, along with 248,357 survivors' pensioners and 7,009 invalidity pensioners, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26 social protection chapter. Registered employees stood at 11.997 million at end-February 2026.

EOBI is the contributory pension scheme for private industrial and commercial workplaces with five or more employees. Employers pay 5% of the minimum wage and workers 1%. In July 2025 to March 2026 EOBI collected Rs63.15 billion and paid out Rs54.29 billion in benefits. Civil servants are covered by separate government pension rules, not EOBI.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Social Protection

How many workers in Pakistan are in the informal sector?

72.1% of non-agricultural employment in Pakistan was in the informal sector in 2024-25, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2024-25. The share was 73.0% for men and 66.3% for women.

PBS counts as informal the household enterprises and small unregistered businesses that are not run as companies. Agriculture is left out of the measure, even though it employs about a third of workers. Informal jobs usually carry no written contract or social security cover, which is why they matter for pension and benefit coverage. The figures come from a household survey, so they include workers that business registers miss.

Official sources: PBS: Labour Force Survey 2024-25 annual report

What is Pakistan's minimum wage?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Pakistan was 37,000 PKR a month (about $133), according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in Pakistan?

$95 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Pakistan for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2012 has been lower. Worldwide: 57th of 57.

What is Pakistan's unemployment rate?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Pakistan at 5.4% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.4% (2007) to 6.3% (2021). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 8.3%, and Pakistan placed 13th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 77th highest.

What is youth unemployment in Pakistan?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Pakistan at 9.6% in 2025. The peak was 11.1% in 2021 and the low 0.8% in 2007. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 18.3%; Pakistan is 16th highest of 21. Worldwide: 109th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Pakistan?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Pakistan at 52.3% in 2025. The peak was 52.7% in 2021 and the low 50.0% in 2006. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 45.2%, and Pakistan placed 9th highest of 21. Worldwide: 140th of 174.

How many women in Pakistan are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Pakistan was 24.0% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 18.3% (2005) to 24.4% (2021). It is 11th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 24.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 161st highest.

What share of adults in Pakistan have a job?

49.5%: that is the employment to population ratio in Pakistan for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 50.7% in 2010 and the low 48.5% in 2020. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 40.0%, and Pakistan placed 9th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 140th of 174.

How many workers in Pakistan are self-employed or family workers?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Pakistan at 55.5% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 2nd highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. Worldwide: 47th of 174.

What share of workers in Pakistan earn a wage or salary?

43.0%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Pakistan for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 74.1%; Pakistan is 20th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 126th of 174.