When the Economic Survey announces per capita income in dollars, most Pakistanis do a quick mental conversion — because salaries, rents and groceries are all paid in rupees. The official rupee figure is Rs 509,174 a year for FY2024-25. This guide explains what that number means, how it is calculated, and why it still feels small.
Quick answer: Pakistan’s per capita income in rupees is Rs 509,174 per year (FY2024-25), equal to about Rs 42,431 a month — up 8.27% from Rs 470,258 the previous year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. It is the rupee counterpart of the widely quoted US$1,824 figure.
In this guide
The Official Rs 509,174 Figure
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, through the National Accounts Committee, reported per capita income in rupees at Rs 509,174 for FY2024-25, up 8.27% from Rs 470,258 in FY24. The figure was released alongside the dollar figure of US$1,824 with the Economic Survey 2024-25 on 9 June 2025.
It is worth noting that the rupee figure grew slightly slower than the dollar figure (8.27% versus 9.75%), because the average exchange rate moved between the two years. When the rupee weakens, the dollar figure rises faster than the rupee one — and vice versa.
What It Means Per Month
Divide Rs 509,174 by twelve and you get Rs 42,431 a month — the average income per Pakistani per month on paper. Put that against real life:
- The statutory minimum wage is Rs 37,000 a month federally (Sindh raised it to Rs 40,000 for 2025-26) — the national average sits only just above the legal floor.
- A family of six — the average household size in cities like Lahore is 6.4 persons — living on the per capita average would have about Rs 254,000 a month coming in, before any skew from inequality.
- But averages conceal distribution: a small number of high earners pull the mean up, so the typical household earns less than Rs 42,431 a month.
Per Capita Income in Rupees: Recent History
| Fiscal year | Per capita income (Rs) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| FY2023-24 | 470,258 | — |
| FY2024-25 | 509,174 | +8.27% |
The PBS has cautioned that the population series from 2016-17 onward will be revised once projections from the 2023 census (241.49 million people) are finalised — so historical rupee figures may be restated.
How the Rupee Figure Is Calculated
Unlike the dollar figure — which depends on the exchange rate — the rupee figure is the primary measurement. The National Accounts Committee takes Gross National Income in rupees (GDP plus net income from abroad, including remittances) and divides it by the estimated population. The US$1,824 figure is derived from Rs 509,174 using the average exchange rate, not the other way round.
That is why economists watch the rupee figure: it reflects real domestic income growth without the distortion of currency swings. For the full picture, see our main guide on Pakistan’s GDP per capita.
Why the Average Still Feels Low
Three reasons Rs 509,174 a year does not feel like prosperity:
1. Inequality. The mean is pulled up by a thin layer of high earners. The World Bank’s regional poverty data shows Pakistan holds nearly half of the region’s poorest — read our coverage of the World Bank poverty report.
2. Inflation memory. Prices rose 23.4% in FY24 before cooling to 4.7% in FY25. Even with nominal income up 8.27%, households are still catching up with the price level.
3. The undocumented economy. A large informal sector means official income figures miss real earnings at both ends — undercounting street-level enterprise and undeclared wealth alike.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the per capita income of Pakistan in rupees in 2025?
Rs 509,174 per year for FY2024-25, equal to about Rs 42,431 per month — up 8.27% from Rs 470,258 the previous year, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Is the rupee figure or the dollar figure more accurate?
The rupee figure is the primary measurement — it is calculated first, and the dollar figure is derived from it using the average exchange rate. Use rupees for domestic analysis and dollars for international comparisons.
How does Rs 509,174 compare with the minimum wage?
The national average of roughly Rs 42,431 a month sits only modestly above the statutory minimum wage — Rs 37,000 a month federally, Rs 40,000 in Sindh for 2025-26.
Will the figure be revised?
Likely, yes. The PBS has said the per capita series from 2016-17 onward will be revised once backward and forward population projections from the 2023 census are completed.
Related Guides
- Pakistan GDP Per Capita: The Complete 2026 Guide — the main guide, with regional comparisons
- Karachi GDP Per Capita — how the economic engine measures up
- Pakistan Revenue: How the Country Raises Its Trillions
- Pakistan Holds Nearly Half of Region’s Poorest, World Bank Says
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