HIES 2024–25 launched to strengthen data-driven governance

January 02, 2026 (MLN):  Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) on Thursday launched the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2024–25, a nationwide survey aimed at improving public welfare by guiding policies on education, health, income, and cost of living through reliable data.

The initiative is expected to support better service delivery and informed decision-making for millions of households across the country, according to a press release issued.

The event was attended by Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal and hosted by Chief Statistician Dr. Naeem uz Zafar (SI), along with Muhammad Sarwar Gondal (SI), Member (SS/RM), and Ms. Rabia Awan, Deputy Director General (PSLM/PCS).

Senior officials from the Ministry of Planning, members of the Technical Committee, key stakeholders, and officers of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) were also present.

PBS has completed and released the results of the HIES 2024–25 and described it as a major milestone in strengthening Pakistan’s national data system.

Endorsed by the Technical Committee, the survey provides a comprehensive picture of socio-economic conditions and serves as a key tool for evidence-based policymaking.

Addressing the ceremony, the Federal Minister said the Planning Ministry and PBS have evolved into modern, data-driven institutions.

He noted that institutional backlogs are being cleared and analytical capacity is being strengthened to better serve national development goals.

Highlighting key achievements, he referred to Pakistan’s digital population census, Digital Agriculture Census, and the Economic Survey, stating that HIES will help researchers, policymakers, and businesses make informed decisions that directly benefit citizens.

The Minister said the survey reflects economic challenges faced since 2018 and the impact of global crises, particularly on the middle class.

However, he expressed confidence that Pakistan has moved into a recovery phase and is progressing toward sustainable growth.

He projected GDP growth of around 4% during the current fiscal year and said the government’s cautious economic approach aims to protect public interests while ensuring long-term stability.

Emphasizing social development, he said the survey highlights improvements in health, digital access, and household income but stressed the urgent need to address the education emergency, with millions of children still out of school.

He added that political stability, policy continuity, and implementation of the “5Es Framework” under URAAN Pakistan are essential to achieving inclusive development and improving living standards nationwide.

The Household Integrated Economic Survey, conducted since 1963, supports monitoring of socio-economic indicators and Sustainable Development Goals.

The 2024–25 edition is the first fully digital survey, covering 32,000 households across Pakistan through an integrated ERP-based system.

PBS stated that the survey results show progress in education, health, digital connectivity, and income levels, providing a strong foundation for people-centric and inclusive development policies.

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