Photo: Shikari7 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Pakistan: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Pakistan is placed 136th of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 49.5 (2025); Labour Income Share 49.83 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
136th
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Pakistan on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
49.5
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Pakistan: 49.5. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Southern Asia
- 62.73 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 32.46 · China 61.57 · India 53.31 · Iran 37.56
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
5.42
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Pakistan: 5.42. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Southern Asia
- 3.227 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 13.35 · China 4.615 · India 4.219 · Iran 8.301
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
55.51
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Pakistan: 55.51. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Southern Asia
- 16.91 Maldives
- Land neighbours
- Afghanistan 81.77 · China 33.4 · India 71.58 · Iran 39.52
02Over time
Which way Pakistan is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
PakistanWorld median
Pakistan fell from 50.1 in 2000 to 49.5 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Pakistan World median 2025 49.498 57.720 2024 49.435 57.694 2023 49.630 58.158 2022 49.633 57.688 2021 49.388 56.066 2020 48.495 55.691 2019 49.105 57.871 2018 48.911 56.911 2017 49.693 56.738 2016 50.501 56.845 2015 50.170 56.788 2014 50.066 56.774 2013 49.931 56.229 2012 49.238 56.289 2011 50.370 56.297 2010 50.664 56.212 2009 50.265 56.255 2008 49.872 57.308 2007 49.846 56.933 2006 49.741 56.685 2005 50.087 56.129 2004 50.427 55.465 2003 50.280 55.630 2002 50.140 55.843 2001 50.122 56.018 2000 50.101 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
PakistanWorld median
Pakistan rose from 49.03 in 2004 to 49.83 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Pakistan World median 2025 49.828 46.230 2024 49.874 46.060 2023 50.629 45.900 2022 48.848 45.615 2021 52.025 45.433 2020 52.885 47.267 2019 52.053 46.277 2018 50.933 46.187 2017 51.457 46.467 2016 51.055 46.798 2015 51.731 46.876 2014 52.896 47.281 2013 51.054 46.887 2012 49.571 46.231 2011 48.308 45.679 2010 49.921 46.024 2009 49.411 47.071 2008 50.007 45.312 2007 49.654 45.246 2006 49.285 45.670 2005 48.994 46.265 2004 49.026 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
PakistanWorld median
Pakistan rose from 0.614 in 2000 to 5.42 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Pakistan World median 2025 5.420 5.08 2024 5.492 5.15 2023 5.237 5.21 2022 5.291 5.34 2021 6.338 6.04 2020 5.994 6.38 2019 4.830 5.36 2018 4.083 5.35 2017 3.204 5.59 2016 2.285 5.90 2015 3.566 6.41 2014 1.827 6.58 2013 2.954 6.71 2012 3.667 6.79 2011 0.796 6.90 2010 0.653 7.04 2009 0.535 6.67 2008 0.423 5.79 2007 0.398 6.00 2006 0.582 6.50 2005 0.583 7.09 2004 0.598 6.80 2003 0.612 6.95 2002 0.615 6.91 2001 0.611 6.96 2000 0.614 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
PakistanWorld median
Pakistan fell from 63.82 in 2000 to 55.51 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Pakistan World median 2025 55.5130 28.67 2024 55.7211 29.04 2023 55.8688 29.33 2022 56.0258 29.67 2021 56.3066 30.01 2020 57.5947 30.54 2019 58.2058 29.98 2018 55.6333 30.15 2017 56.8595 29.93 2016 58.0469 29.91 2015 59.1907 30.26 2014 59.1339 30.47 2013 58.9655 31.14 2012 59.0936 31.00 2011 59.2211 31.41 2010 59.8115 32.37 2009 59.4992 32.59 2008 59.5460 31.76 2007 58.3298 33.47 2006 58.0808 34.27 2005 58.3573 34.66 2004 61.4101 35.51 2003 59.4988 35.90 2002 59.5000 35.96 2001 63.8207 35.27 2000 63.8193 35.67
03In context
Pakistan beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Pakistan and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chinacompare | 60th | 61.57 | 51.23 | 4.615 | 33.4 |
 Indiacompare | =99th | 53.31 | 61.83 | 4.219 | 71.58 |
| Pakistan | 136th | 49.5 | 49.83 | 5.42 | 55.51 |
 Irancompare | 175th | 37.56 | 34.95 | 8.301 | 39.52 |
 Afghanistancompare | 182nd | 32.46 | 40.77 | 13.35 | 81.77 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Pakistan in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Pakistan is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median2
Statistics on which Pakistan does better than the middle country measured.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 9811298▲ Improved since 2015
Pakistan: 112 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.839.59412.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Pakistan: 9.594 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 115th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median15
Statistics on which Pakistan does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8144.6141.81No earlier reading
Pakistan: 44.61 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 80th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88515.14.885No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 15.1 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,7423,1866,742No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 3,186 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 107th of 151 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,38417,80047,384No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 17,800 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 130th of 168 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.167.1622.16No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 7.16 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 143rd of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6652.3461.66No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 52.34 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 147th of 182 · derived.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 303▼ Worsened since 2015
Pakistan: 0 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2307,10925,230▼ Worsened since 2010
Pakistan: 7,109 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 123rd of 151 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.614.831.61▲ Improved since 2015
Pakistan: 4.83 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7688.3536.76No earlier reading
Pakistan: 88.35 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 9th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.684.72916.68No earlier reading
Pakistan: 4.729 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 129th of 139 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3624.0553.36No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 24.05 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 169th of 182 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.163.40119.16No earlier reading
Pakistan: 3.401 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 172nd of 179 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.92.845.9No earlier reading
Pakistan: 2.8 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.075.932.07No earlier reading
Pakistan: 5.9 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Pakistan: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8947.6338.89Moved since 2015
Pakistan: 47.63 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 9th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8825.2618.88Moved since 2015
Pakistan: 25.26 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 41st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3836.2314.38No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 36.23 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 43rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.845731.84No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 57 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 49th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95570.45657.95No real change since 2014
Pakistan: 570.45 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.018.06115.01No earlier reading
Pakistan: 8.061 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 95th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5138.5159.51No real change since 2015
Pakistan: 38.51 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 154th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Pakistan
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2021), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4) (last 2021), Fatal Occupational Injuries (last 2002), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2021), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2021), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate (last 2021), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2021) and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2021). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Pakistan’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Pakistan’s 8th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technology54th of 1984/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability86th of 1864/4 keys
- Energy90th of 1653/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality93rd of 1593/3 keys
- Mobility & Trade107th of 1773/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions136th of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Libertiesjoint 145th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour136th of 1824/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital154th of 1963/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture147th of 1844/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing161st of 2004/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 176th of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation159th of 1764/4 keys
- Gender & Equality171st of 1834/4 keys
- Peace & Security168th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience189th of 1934/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Pakistan can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in Southern Asia
Maldives=64th4/4 keysThis page
Pakistan136th4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Pakistan and work & labour
About Pakistan
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
08Questions
Pakistan on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Pakistan rank on work & labour?
Pakistan is placed 136th of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Pakistan?
49.5 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Pakistan?
49.83 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Pakistan compare with India on work & labour?
India is placed joint 99th of 182, and Pakistan 136th. Employment-to-Population Ratio: India 53.31, Pakistan 49.5; Labour Income Share: India 61.83, Pakistan 49.83; Unemployment Rate: India 4.219, Pakistan 5.42; Vulnerable Employment: India 71.58, Pakistan 55.51.
How have Pakistan’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 50.1 in 2000 to 49.5 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 49.03 in 2004 to 49.83 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 0.614 in 2000 to 5.42 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 63.82 in 2000 to 55.51 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Pakistan?
No current reading is published for Pakistan on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Pakistan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Pakistan (banner) — Shikari7, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Pakistan: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/pakistan/work