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A new nationwide survey reveals a significant increase in internet access and improvements in key social indicators across Pakistan, signaling a potential shift in the country’s socio-economic landscape. The Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024–25, released on Thursday, indicates a 57% rise in individual internet users, with household internet access jumping from 34% to 70%.
The HIES – an annual survey conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) – focuses on the social and economic conditions of the country to inform policymaking at both national and provincial levels. The results were unveiled during a ceremony at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives in Islamabad.
“The PBS has successfully completed and released the results of the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024–25, marking a major milestone in Pakistan’s national data ecosystem,” stated a press release from the Press Information Department (PID). The survey, according to the PID, provides “comprehensive insights to review the social and economic conditions of the country and serves as a key tool for evidence-based planning and policymaking.”
Notably, HIES 2024–25 represents the first fully digital iteration of the survey, building on the foundation laid by the Digital Population and Housing Census 2023. Field operations, completed in June 2025, encompassed 32,000 households across Pakistan, ensuring representation at both provincial and national levels. A fully integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system was utilized for data collection, task management, and real-time monitoring.
Key Findings: A Snapshot of Progress
The PBS highlighted several key improvements revealed by the survey. Beyond the dramatic increase in internet access, household ownership of mobile phones or smartphones rose to 96%. Gender parity at the primary level also saw gains, increasing from 92% to 96%.
Significant progress was also reported in health outcomes. The neonatal mortality rate declined from 41 to 35 per 1,000 live births, while the infant mortality rate decreased from 60 to 47 per 1,000 live births. The total fertility rate also saw a slight reduction, moving from 3.7 to 3.6 children per woman.
Environmental sustainability also showed positive trends, with the use of clean fuels – including natural gas, LPG, biogas, solar energy, and electricity – surging to 38%.
Economically, the survey indicated increases in both household income and consumption, reaching Rs82,179 and Rs79,150 respectively. At the national level, household spending is primarily allocated to food (37%) and housing/fuel (26%), followed by restaurants and hotels (6.63%), clothing and footwear (6.28%), and transport (6.21%). However, a separate Pakistan Panel Household Survey 2024 revealed ongoing economic hardship for many, with only 19.5% of households consistently able to afford desired meals and 30% sometimes facing food insecurity.
A Milestone for Data-Driven Governance
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal hailed the HIES as a “major milestone towards data-driven governance and evidence-based policymaking.” Addressing the launch ceremony, Iqbal emphasized the Ministry of Planning’s commitment to resolving long-standing statistical backlogs and completing surveys that had been stalled for up to seven years.
He asserted that the availability of updated data would strengthen government policymaking and empower researchers, businesses, and young people to conduct more informed analysis. “This survey is a milestone for the country,” he remarked.
Iqbal acknowledged the economic challenges Pakistan has faced over the past six to seven years, attributing them to policy disruptions after 2018 and subsequent mismanagement, including a surge in imports to $80 billion in 2022. This, he explained, led to a significant current account deficit, depletion of foreign exchange reserves, and prolonged inflation, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and global supply chain shocks.
The minister noted that the lower middle class has been disproportionately affected by these economic pressures, with rising food and utility costs consuming a large portion of their income. Despite these difficulties, Iqbal expressed optimism that the economy is now on a recovery path, citing a GDP growth of 3.71% in the first quarter. However, he cautioned against relying on artificial, consumption-driven growth fueled by excessive imports, stressing the importance of aligning growth with export earnings, remittances, and foreign direct investment.
Iqbal highlighted the government’s commitment to a prudent growth policy alongside reforms under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program to ensure stability and sustained growth. While acknowledging improvements in literacy, health, and infant mortality, he emphasized that progress remains insufficient. Literacy rates, for example, have only risen from around 60% to 63%, falling short of global benchmarks. He called for an “education emergency” to raise literacy to 90% within the next five to six years, requiring a collaborative effort from governments, civil society, and individuals.
Reinforcing the goals of the Uraan Pakistan agenda – a five-year National Economic Transformation Plan launched in 2024 – Iqbal underscored the urgency of accelerating socio-economic development while maintaining peace and stability. He urged a shift in national discourse towards critical issues such as child stunting, literacy, and universal primary enrollment.
“The future belongs to nations that prioritize their economy and socio-economic development,” he stated, adding that strong socio-economic foundations are essential for political stability. Iqbal called for collaboration between the media, opposition, private sector, and civil society, emphasizing that “we can only achieve our goals through cooperation as Team Pakistan.”
Describing the HIES as “an invitation to think and act,” Iqbal reiterated the resolve to transform Pakistan’s social and economic indicators under Uraan Pakistan, with the ambitious goal of achieving a $1 trillion economy by 2035.
