Quick answer: The last census in Pakistan was the 7th Population and Housing Census of 2023 — the first digital census. It counted 241.49 million people (247.54m with GB and AJK), up from 207.68m in 2017, growing at 2.55% a year — the highest in South Asia. Punjab: 127.68m · Sindh: 55.69m · KP: 40.85m · Balochistan: 14.89m · Islamabad: 2.36m. Karachi (20.3m) is the largest city. Approved by the CCI on 5 August 2023.
The headline total
241,499,431 people — the four provinces plus Islamabad Capital Territory. Add Gilgit-Baltistan (1.71m) and Azad Kashmir (4.33m) and the national total is 247.54 million, making Pakistan the world’s fifth most populous country. The count rose by 33.8 million in just six years — more than the entire population of many countries.
Province breakdown
Punjab 127.68m (2.53% growth) — still the majority province with ~53% of Pakistanis. Sindh 55.69m (2.57%). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 40.85m (2.38% — growth slowing). Balochistan 14.89m (3.20% — the fastest-growing province). Islamabad 2.36m (2.81% — down sharply from 4.9% in 2017). Provincial shares barely moved despite the growth — the fact that kept the NFC peace.
Big cities
Karachi: 20.3 million — Pakistan’s only megacity, bigger than many countries. Lahore follows as Punjab’s giant (its district counted ~13m). The census confirmed Pakistan is still 61.18% rural — urbanisation (38.82%) is rising but the village remains the demographic centre of gravity.
Other key numbers
Households: 38.34 million (up from 32.21m); average household size 6.33 (shrinking). Sex ratio: ~124.3m males to ~117.2m females. Transgender population: 20,331 counted. 67% of Pakistanis are under 30 — the youth bulge in one number. For method, history and why it all matters, see the complete digital census guide.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
When was the last census in Pakistan?
2023 — fieldwork March–May 2023, results approved 5 August 2023. It was the 7th census and the first digital one.
What is Pakistan’s population in the last census?
241.49 million (247.54 million including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir).
Which city has the largest population in Pakistan?
Karachi — 20.3 million in the 2023 census.
