In 1800, the population of the area of modern-day Pakistan was estimated to be just over 13 million. Population growth in the 19th century would be gradual in the region, rising to just 19 million at the turn of the century. In the early 1800s, the British Empire slowly consolidated power in the region, eventually controlling the region of Pakistan from the mid-19th century onwards, as part of the British Raj. From the 1930s on, the population's growth rate would increase as improvements in healthcare (particularly vaccination) and sanitation would lead to lower infant mortality rates and higher life expectancy.
Independence
In 1947, the Muslim-majority country of Pakistan gained independence from Britain, and split from the Hindu-majority country of India. In the next few years, upwards of ten million people migrated between the two nations, during a period that was blemished by widespread atrocities on both sides. Throughout this time, the region of Bangladesh was also a part Pakistan (as it also had a Muslim majority), known as East Pakistan; internal disputes between the two regions were persistent for over two decades, until 1971, when a short but bloody civil war resulted in Bangladesh's independence. Political disputes between Pakistan and India also created tension in the first few decades of independence, even boiling over into some relatively small-scale conflicts, although there was some economic progress and improvements in quality of life for Pakistan's citizens. The late 20th century was also characterized by several attempts to become democratic, but with intermittent periods of military rule. Between independence and the end of the century, Pakistan's population had grown more than four times in total.
Pakistan today
Since 2008, Pakistan has been a functioning democracy, with an emerging economy and increasing international prominence. Despite the emergence of a successful middle-class, this is prosperity is not reflected in all areas of the population as almost a quarter still live in poverty, and Pakistan ranks in the bottom 20% of countries according to the Human Development Index. In 2020, Pakistan is thought to have a total population of over 220 million people, making it the fifth-most populous country in the world.
Population of Pakistan from 1800 to 2020
(in millions)
Characteristic
Population in millions
2020
220.89
2019
216.57
2018
212.23
2017
207.91
2016
203.63
2015
199.43
2014
195.31
2013
191.26
2012
187.28
2011
183.34
2010
179.42
2009
175.53
2008
171.65
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Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Population in millions18001804180818121816182018241828183218361840184418481852185618601864186818721876188018841888189218961900190419081912191619201924192819321936194019441948195219561960196419681972197619801984198819921996200020042008201220162020
050100150200250
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Gapminder, & United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). (August 31, 2019). Population of Pakistan from 1800 to 2020 (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067011/population-pakistan-historical/
Gapminder, und United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). "Population of Pakistan from 1800 to 2020 (in millions)." Chart. August 31, 2019. Statista. Accessed February 20, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067011/population-pakistan-historical/
Gapminder, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). (2019). Population of Pakistan from 1800 to 2020 (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 20, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067011/population-pakistan-historical/
Gapminder, and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA). "Population of Pakistan from 1800 to 2020 (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 31 Aug 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067011/population-pakistan-historical/
Gapminder & United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), Population of Pakistan from 1800 to 2020 (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067011/population-pakistan-historical/ (last visited February 20, 2025)
Population of Pakistan from 1800 to 2020 (in millions) [Graph], Gapminder, & United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), August 31, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067011/population-pakistan-historical/
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