World Happiness Report for Pakistan 2024
- Overall Happiness Rank Pakistan: 108
- Happiness Score Pakistan:4.657
Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.
What is the Happiness Index?
The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.
How is the Happiness Index Calculated?
The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.
In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:
- GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
- Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
- Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
- Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
- Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
- Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.
These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.
What Does the Happiness Index Affect?
The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:
- Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
- Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
- Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
- Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.
By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.
Short information
- Abbreviation of Pakistan. PK.
Pakistan is a South Asian country with a federal parliamentary republic political system. It has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from various ethnic groups and regions. Pakistan has a significant agricultural and industrial economy.
- Pakistan is home to the second highest mountain in the world, K2.
- The national sport of Pakistan is field hockey.
- Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world.
Pakistan – A Comprehensive Overview
Brief History
Early History: The region of modern-day Pakistan has been inhabited since ancient times, with the Indus Valley Civilization being one of the earliest urban civilizations dating back to around 3000 BCE. It flourished along the Indus River basin, with major cities like Mohenjo-daro and Harappa.
Kingdoms and Empires: Over the centuries, Pakistan has been ruled by various kingdoms and empires, including the Persian Achaemenid Empire, the Maurya Empire, the Indo-Greek Kingdom, the Indo-Scythians, the Indo-Parthians, and the Kushan Empire. The Muslim conquest of the Indian subcontinent began in 711 CE, leading to the establishment of the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire, which ruled parts of modern-day Pakistan.
Colonial Period: In the 16th century, the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in the region, followed by the Dutch, French, and British. The British East India Company gradually gained control over parts of present-day Pakistan, eventually leading to the formal establishment of British rule in the subcontinent.
Independence and Modern Era: The demand for an independent Muslim state in the Indian subcontinent led to the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947, after the end of British colonial rule. Pakistan faced several challenges in its early years, including the integration of diverse regions, refugee crises, and conflicts with neighboring India over the disputed territory of Kashmir. The country also experienced periods of military rule and political instability.
Current Political Situation: Pakistan is a federal parliamentary republic with a bicameral legislature. The current Prime Minister is Shehbaz Sharif, who took office in April 2022. The country has a multi-party system, with the Pakistan Muslim League (N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party being among the major political parties.
International Relations: Pakistan has strained relations with neighboring India due to the Kashmir conflict and has been an important ally of China. The country has also been a key partner in the US-led War on Terror, although relations with the US have been complex.
Human Development and Economy: Pakistan has a semi-industrialized economy, with major industries including textiles, agriculture, and services. However, the country faces challenges with poverty, illiteracy, and income inequality. Its human development indicators rank relatively low compared to other countries in the region.
Cultural Highlights: Pakistan has a rich cultural heritage influenced by its diverse ethnic groups, religions (Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and others), and historical traditions. Notable cultural contributions include Sufi music, Mughal architecture, and traditional crafts like pottery and textiles.
Pakistan faces challenges related to political instability, terrorism, economic struggles, and environmental issues like water scarcity and climate change. Opportunities lie in harnessing its strategic location, developing its human capital, and promoting regional cooperation and stability.
Travel Tips for Pakistan
– Best times to visit: Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) offer pleasant weather.
– Cultural etiquette: Dress modestly, remove shoes when entering mosques or homes, and respect local customs.
– Safety precautions: Exercise caution, avoid crowded areas, and follow government travel advisories.
– Must-see landmarks: Badshahi Mosque (Lahore), Khyber Pass, Mohenjo-daro archaeological site, Karakoram Highway.
– Culinary experiences: Try traditional dishes like biryani, nihari, kebabs, and lassi (yogurt-based drink).
Living in Pakistan
– Cost of living: Relatively low compared to Western countries, but varies based on location and lifestyle.
– Housing: Options range from apartments to villas, with rental and purchase options available.
– Healthcare: Public healthcare system is strained; private facilities offer better quality but can be expensive.
– Education: Diverse options, including public schools, private institutions, and international schools.
Main facts
1. Location
Pakistan is located in South Asia, situated at the crossroads of Central Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East. It shares borders with India to the east, China to the northeast, Afghanistan to the west and northwest, Iran to the southwest, and the Arabian Sea to the south.
2. Map References
Pakistan is part of the South Asian subcontinent.
3. Area – Comparative
Slightly less than twice the size of the U.S. state of California.
4. Land Boundaries and Border Countries
Total border length: 7,257 km
Bordering countries: Afghanistan (2,670 km), China (438 km), India (3,190 km), Iran (959 km).
5. Coastline (if applicable)
Coastline: 1,046 km
Pakistan has a coastline along the Arabian Sea, featuring major ports like Karachi and the Gwadar deep-sea port.
6. Maritime Claims
Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
Contiguous zone: 24 nautical miles
Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the edge of the continental margin
7. Climate
Pakistan has a diverse climate ranging from tropical to temperate, with arid conditions in the coastal south, while the northern regions have a cool or mountainous climate. The climate is generally hot and dry in the western and southern regions, with monsoon rains in the east and northeast.
8. Terrain
Pakistan’s terrain is highly varied, consisting of a central alluvial plain in the east, deserts in the south and west, and high mountains in the north and northwest. Major mountain ranges include the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush.
9. Elevation Extremes
Highest point: K2 (Mount Godwin-Austen) at 8,611 meters
Lowest point: Indian Ocean at 0 meters
10. Natural Resources
Pakistan’s major natural resources include natural gas, petroleum, coal, iron ore, copper, salt, limestone, and other minerals.
11. Major Bodies of Water
Indus River (shared with India and China), Chenab River, Jhelum River, Ravi River, Sutlej River, Dasht River, Mashkel River, and the Arabian Sea.
12. Natural Hazards
Pakistan is prone to frequent earthquakes, floods, droughts, and cyclones/tsunamis along the Arabian Sea coast.
13. Geography – Notes
Pakistan is home to the Indus Valley civilization, one of the oldest urban civilizations in the world. The country’s diverse landscape, ranging from coastal areas to high mountain ranges, contributes to its rich cultural heritage and biodiversity.
- Forest Area (% of land area): 1.90%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
- Co2 Emissions: 201,15. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
- Agricultural Land( %). 47.80%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
- Geographic Coordinates: 30.37532169.345116.
- Capital: The capital of Pakistan is Islamabad
- Major Cities:
- Karachi – Population: 14.91 million
- Lahore – Population: 11.13 million
- Faisalabad – Population: 3.2 million
- Rawalpindi – Population: 2.1 million
- Multan – Population: 1.8 million
- Population: 216,565,318
- Area(Km2): 796095
- Population Density( P/Km²):287. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
- Calling Code:92
- Official Language(s):Pakistan is Urdu 87%, Punjabi 7%, Sindhi 4%, Pashto 3%, others 2%.
- Currency: PKR
Main Economic Indicators
Pakistan’s economy is the 25th largest in the world in terms of purchasing power parity. The country faces major economic challenges, including a significant budget deficit, decreasing foreign exchange reserves, high inflation rate, and growing public debt. Key economic policies focus on fiscal consolidation, promoting investment, and addressing structural issues.
Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)
Inflation rate: 13.8% (2022 est.), 9% (2021 est.)
Source: CIA World Factbook
Credit Ratings
Fitch: B- (Stable)
Moody’s: Caa1 (Under Review for Downgrade)
Standard & Poor’s: B- (Stable)
GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin
Agriculture: 23.5%
Industry: 18.6%
Services: 57.9%
Key Agricultural and Industrial Products
Agricultural: cotton, wheat, rice, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables, milk, beef, mutton, eggs
Industrial: textiles and apparel, food processing, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, construction materials, paper products, fertilizer, shrimp
Labor Force
Total labor force: 67.79 million (2022 est.)
Comparative ranking: 10th in the world
Current Account Balance
Current account balance: -$17.43 billion (2022 est.)
Comparative ranking: 184th in the world
Exports and Imports
Exports: $31.79 billion (2022 est.)
Key partners: China, United States, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Germany
Main commodities: textiles and apparel, rice, leather goods, sports goods, chemicals, manufactures, surgical instruments
Imports: $72.52 billion (2022 est.)
Key partners: China, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Russia
Main commodities: petroleum, petroleum products, machinery, plastics, transportation equipment, edible oils, paper and paperboard, iron and steel, tea
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
Foreign exchange reserves: $3.09 billion (31 December 2022 est.)
Gold reserves: 64.6 tonnes (2022 est.)
- GDP (Current US$):$304,400,000,000. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
- Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 9.20%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
- Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 33.90%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
- Gasoline Price. $0.79. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
- Minimum wage. $0.69. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
- Unemployment Rate (%): 4.45%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.
Social Indicators
National Identity
Nationality: noun – Pakistani(s), adjective – Pakistani
Ethnic Groups
- Punjabi (approximately 44.7%)
- Pashtun (approximately 15.4%)
- Sindhi (approximately 14.1%)
- Sariaki (approximately 8.4%)
- Muhajirs (approximately 7.6%)
- Balochi (approximately 3.6%)
- Other (approximately 6.2%)
Religions
- Islam (approximately 96.5%)
- Hinduism (approximately 2.1%)
- Christianity (approximately 1.1%)
- Other (approximately 0.3%)
Age Structure
- 0-14 years: 34.2%
- 15-64 years: 59.6%
- 65 years and over: 6.2%
Dependency Ratios
Total dependency ratio: 63.8
Youth dependency ratio: 56.4
Elderly dependency ratio: 7.4
Median Age
Total: 22.9 years
Male: 22.7 years
Female: 23.1 years
Lifestyle Indicators
- Obesity rate: 8.6%
- Alcohol consumption: Low (majority Muslim population)
- Tobacco use: 19.1% of adults
- Infant mortality rate: 57.5 deaths/1,000 live births
- Life expectancy at birth: 67.4 years (male: 65.6 years, female: 69.3 years)
Note:
The data presented here is based on the latest available statistics and may vary depending on the source and year of collection.
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 67.1. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
- Literacy Rate (% of adults): 59%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
- Birth Rate:28.25. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
- Death Rate:7. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
- Fertility Rate: 3.51. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
- Internet Users (% of population): 70.8%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
- Urban Population: 79,927,762. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
- Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):66.50%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.
Infrastructure and Services
Military and Security Forces
Pakistan’s military comprises the following main branches:
- Army: The largest service, including the Army Strategic Force Command (managing nuclear weapons), Army Air Defense Command, and several corps and divisions.
- Navy: Consisting of the Naval Fleet, Naval Air Arm, Maritime Security Agency, and Marines.
- Air Force: With several air commands and specialized units like the Air Defence Command.
- Paramilitary Forces: The Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps assist in internal security and border protection.
Military Expenditures
Pakistan’s military expenditure as a percentage of GDP:
- 2021: 3.8%
- 2020: 3.9%
- 2019: 4.0%
- 2018: 3.6%
- 2017: 3.6%
Pakistan ranks among the top 25 countries globally for military spending.
Personnel Strengths
Total active military personnel: 654,000
- Army: 550,000
- Navy: 25,000
- Air Force: 79,000
Other security services include the Pakistan Rangers (35,000) and Frontier Corps (80,000).
Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions
Pakistan operates a mix of domestically produced and imported military hardware, including:
- Tanks and armored vehicles (al-Khalid, al-Zarar, T-80, M48)
- Fighter aircraft (JF-17 Thunder, F-16, Mirage III/V)
- Naval vessels (frigates, submarines, patrol craft)
- Ballistic and cruise missiles (Shaheen, Ghaznavi, Babur)
Significant future acquisitions include Chinese-made J-10C fighters and upgrades to existing platforms.
Military Service Age and Obligation
Military service is voluntary, with the following enlistment ages:
- Army: 16-23 years (enlisted), 17-23 years (officers)
- Navy: 16-25 years (enlisted), 17-25 years (officers)
- Air Force: 16-23 years (enlisted), 17-23 years (officers)
Military Deployments
Pakistan has around 5,000 troops deployed overseas, mainly for UN peacekeeping missions in:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Central African Republic
- Western Sahara
- Sudan
Strategic Military Notes
Pakistan’s defense strategy focuses on deterring threats from India, with particular emphasis on the disputed Kashmir region and maintaining a minimum credible nuclear deterrent. The military also plays a key role in counter-terrorism operations and border security.
Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally of the United States and participates in multinational security initiatives like the Combined Maritime Forces. It maintains close defense ties with China, which is a major supplier of military equipment and technology.
- Armed Forces Size: 654000. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
- Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 0.98
- Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 52.60%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.