Is Pakistan’s fertility rate declining?
Last reviewed:
Direct answer
Yes over the long run, although recent movement is slow. The comparable PDHS series reported total fertility of 4.9 births per woman in 1990–91, 4.1 in 2006–07, 3.8 in 2012–13 and 3.6 in 2017–18. HIES 2024–25 also reported 3.6. Total fertility is a period estimate based on recent birth rates, not the final number of children today’s young women will have. Survey designs differ, so the latest HIES value should complement rather than silently replace the DHS series.
4.9 → 3.6Births per woman in the comparable PDHS series, 1990–91 to 2017–18
Sources used
Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 1990–91
National Institute of Population Studies and The DHS Program
First Pakistan DHS wave, used with later waves for long-run comparisons in marriage and fertility indicators.View sourcePakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017–18
National Institute of Population Studies and The DHS Program
National survey evidence for marriage timing, women, households and health indicators.View sourceHousehold Integrated Economic Survey 2024–25
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
National survey of 32,814 households covering education, internet, fertility, family planning, household size, income and consumption.View source