Which is the most populated province of Pakistan? Punjab — by a distance. The 2023 census counted 127,688,922 people in Punjab: more than half of Pakistan’s population, and enough to make it the world’s fifth-most populous subnational entity. This guide breaks down the numbers, explains why Punjab is so populous, and compares it with the other provinces.
Quick answer: Punjab is Pakistan’s most populated province with 127.7 million people (2023 census) — over half the country. Sindh is second (~56M), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa third (~41M) and Balochistan fourth (~15M). Punjab’s density is 622 people per km².
In this guide: The census numbers · Province-by-province comparison · Why Punjab is so populous · What it means for power · FAQs
The Census Numbers (2023)
Pakistan’s 2023 digital census — the country’s first fully digital count — put Punjab’s population at 127,688,922, up from 110,012,442 in 2017. The province’s density is 622 people per km² (1,610 per square mile), the highest of any province. About 40.7% of Punjabis live in cities — 51.98 million urban residents — also the highest urbanisation rate in the country.
For scale: Punjab alone has more people than all but a handful of countries — it outranks the populations of the UK, France or Italy. It is the world’s fifth-most populous subnational entity, and the most populous outside China and India.
Province-by-Province Comparison
| Province | Population (2023) | Share of Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| Punjab | 127.7 million | ~53% |
| Sindh | ~55.7 million | ~23% |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | ~40.9 million | ~17% |
| Balochistan | ~14.9 million | ~6% |
Punjab’s population is more than double Sindh’s and over eight times Balochistan’s — even though Balochistan is more than twice Punjab’s area. Punjab, Pakistan: the complete provincial guide →
Why Is Punjab So Populous?
Three reasons, all geographic. Water: the five rivers and their canal network made the central plains farmable at scale — Punjab has fed dense populations for millennia. Flat, fertile land: unlike the mountains of KP or the deserts of Balochistan, most of Punjab is cultivable plain. History: the canal colonies of the British era deliberately settled millions on newly irrigated land, and Partition’s refugee influx added millions more.
The result is a virtuous cycle: fertile land supports people, people build cities and industry, and cities draw more people. Lahore’s metropolitan region alone now exceeds 13 million.
What Punjab’s Population Means for Power
Population is political power in Pakistan. Punjab holds 183 of the National Assembly’s general seats — more than the other three provinces combined — so no party wins federal power without Punjab. The province’s 371-member Provincial Assembly is the country’s largest legislature, and its chief minister commands the largest provincial budget and bureaucracy.
This is why Punjab’s demographics are watched so closely: every census redraws the electoral map. The 2023 census confirmed Punjab’s majority — and with it, the province’s permanent position at the centre of Pakistani politics. For who governs it now, see the current chief ministers and Pakistani Punjab: identity and people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most populated province of Pakistan?
Punjab, with 127,688,922 people (2023 census) — over half of Pakistan’s total population.
What is the second most populated province of Pakistan?
Sindh, with about 55.7 million people (2023 census) — less than half of Punjab’s population.
What is the population of Punjab in crores?
12.77 crores (127.7 million) as per the 2023 census, up from 11 crores in 2017.
Which province has the lowest population in Pakistan?
Balochistan — about 14.9 million people, despite being the largest province by area.
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