Pakistan has a population of over 152 million, and since the year 2000 has embarked on an ambitious program of economic and social development.

This has made significant progress over the past few years, but there are still great challenges to be met.

In the 1990s it was estimated that 32% of the population lived in poverty. Although in recent years there has been strong economic growth, and middle to high income earners live in comparable circumstances to similar countries, the gap for the poor has widened. Access to sanitation in Pakistan is 23% lower than in other countries with similar incomes.

Literacy rates have also increased since the 1990s, with female literacy at 40% and male literacy at 65%. Significant gender inequities remain, with only 22% of girls in rural areas above the age of 10 completing primary or higher schooling as compared to 47% of boys.

Child labour is a significant issue, with government estimates of some 3.3 million child labourers in the workforce (although some NGO ’s estimate it to be as high as 10 million).

The government has taken some steps to address this issue, and has been highly successful in reducing child labour in the football manufacturing industry.

World Bank
• Pakistan at a Glance
• Data Profile
• Earthquake

AIDS/HIV
• UNDP You and Aids Profile
• UNAIDS

Foundation Projects

The Lasallian Foundation supports the developmental and emergency relief projects of the De La Salle Brothers in Pakistan.