Marriage Trends

Is Pakistan’s average household size changing?

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The HIES 2024–25 social report shows average household size at 5.98 people, compared with about 6.2 in its 2018–19 comparison. Its current table reports 5.69 for urban and 6.17 for rural households.

A smaller average household is not proof that nuclear families are replacing joint families. Births, deaths, migration and household definitions can change the average. Relationships between household members are needed to identify which relatives live together.

5.98 peopleaverage household size, HIES 2024–25 social report
Evidence

Sources used

National Survey · 2026

HIES 2024–25: Social Indicators Report

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics

Latest report linked by PBS at review: literacy, out-of-school children, household size and internet use. Survey period 2024–25; PDF page and table definitions matter.

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