Pakistan might not be huge in terms of land, standing 36th in the world by size, but when it comes to people, it’s near the top. It already ranks 7th in population and is quickly moving toward crossing the 200 million mark. That rapid growth is being felt most in its big cities.
Karachi, the country’s biggest city and commercial hub, now has more than 11.6 million people. This puts it in 7th place among the most populated cities in the world.
Across Pakistan, urban growth is picking up speed. Lahore is also expanding fast, with around 6.3 million residents, ranking 15th globally. Both cities are magnets for people moving in from smaller towns and villages.
Right now, there are 8 cities with over a million residents, and about 59 more cities where the population falls between 100,000 and one million. On top of that, 284 smaller cities have populations above 10,000, showing how fast the country is urbanizing.
Despite the urban rush, most Pakistanis still reside in villages and small towns. Around 61% of the population lives in rural areas. However, experts predict that the numbers will continue to rise in the years ahead, presenting significant challenges for housing, transportation, and employment.
Balancing rural life with the push of growing cities will be one of Pakistan’s key struggles in the future. How Pakistan manages this population boom will decide not just the future of its cities, but the overall quality of life for millions of its people.
