Quick answer: The list of censuses in Pakistan: 1951 (~33.7m) → 1961 → 1972 (first without East Pakistan) → 1981 (~84m) → 1998 (132.35m) → 2017 (207.68m, after a 19-year gap) → 2023 (241.49m, first digital). The constitutional rule is a census every 10 years — honoured mostly in the breach, with the 1998–2017 gap stretching to 19 years.
The full list
| Census | Population | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 (1st) | ~33.7 million | First count of independent Pakistan |
| 1961 (2nd) | ~42.9 million | Shaped Ayub-era planning |
| 1972 (3rd) | ~65.3 million | First without East Pakistan |
| 1981 (4th) | ~84.3 million | Documented the urbanisation wave |
| 1998 (5th) | 132.35 million | Fixed shares for two decades |
| 2017 (6th) | 207.68 million | After a 19-year gap; disputed |
| 2023 (7th) | 241.49 million | First digital census |
The gaps
The ten-year rule has rarely held: 1951→1961 (10), 1961→1972 (11), 1972→1981 (9), 1981→1998 (17), 1998→2017 (19), 2017→2023 (6). Politics delayed counts whenever the results threatened the balance of power — the 19-year gap being the extreme case.
What changed each time
Each census added layers: 1972 redefined the country post-1971; 1998 introduced modern sampling frames; 2017 counted transgender persons separately for the first time; 2023 went fully digital with GIS and self-enumeration. The questionnaire has grown from basic headcount to detailed housing, disability, migration and language data.
The next census
Due by 2033 under the ten-year rule — expected to be digital-first, building on 2023’s GIS database and portal. For the complete 2023 story, see the full digital census guide.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
How many censuses has Pakistan had?
Seven — 1951, 1961, 1972, 1981, 1998, 2017 and 2023.
What was Pakistan’s population in the first census?
About 33.7 million in 1951 (West Pakistan).
When is the next census in Pakistan?
Due by 2033 under the constitutional ten-year rule.
