Pakistan Economy Ranking: Where It Stands in the World

Where does Pakistan’s economy rank in the world? After crossing $400 billion, Pakistan sits among the 40 largest economies by nominal GDP — in the company of Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Denmark and Norway. This guide explains the ranking, how it is calculated, and what it does and doesn’t tell you.

The Ranking

By nominal GDP (~$452 billion), Pakistan sits just inside the global top 40 — a milestone first reached when the economy crossed $400 billion in FY2025, per AKD Securities and World Bank data. Rankings shift yearly with growth rates and exchange rates; sustained growth and a stable rupee are what defend the position.

Peer Economies

Pakistan’s nominal-GDP neighbours include Malaysia, Iran, Denmark, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Norway — a mix of advanced small economies and large developing ones. Bangladesh, once far behind, now sits in the same bracket — a reminder that consistent 6%+ growth compounds fast.

The Per-Capita Gap

Here the picture flips: at $1,901 per person, Pakistan ranks around the 150s globally — far below its top-40 GDP rank. The gap reflects a large population (252 million) with low average productivity. Closing it is the real development challenge, as our per capita guide explains.

Nominal vs PPP

Rankings use nominal GDP (market exchange rates). On purchasing-power parity — adjusting for lower local prices — Pakistan’s economy exceeds $1.5 trillion and ranks in the global top 25. PPP better reflects living standards; nominal better reflects global financial weight. Both are legitimate; know which one a ranking uses.

For the full economic picture, see our GDP pillar guide.

Is Pakistan richer than Bangladesh?

By total nominal GDP the two are now in the same bracket (~$450bn vs ~$460bn); by per capita income Bangladesh leads (~$2,600 vs $1,901).

What was Pakistan’s rank 10 years ago?

Pakistan hovered in the 40s by nominal GDP through the late 2010s as the economy sat in the $300–376 billion range — the $400bn crossing lifted it into the top 40.