Urban area over the long-term in Pakistan
Pakistan: Urban area over the long-term was 8,527 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
8,527 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 3.2%
World rank
16th
of 202 countries
All-time high
8,527 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0124 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Pakistan, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Pakistan stood at 8,527 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 3.2% on the previous year and up 41.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Pakistan peaked at 8,527 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0124 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Pakistan ranks 16th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0124 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0386 km² per grid cell | +211.7% |
| 1200 | 0.1201 km² per grid cell | +211.3% |
| 1300 | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1400 | 1.22 km² per grid cell | +239.8% |
| 1500 | 3.91 km² per grid cell | +219.2% |
| 1600 | 15.23 km² per grid cell | +290.0% |
| 1700 | 56.25 km² per grid cell | +269.2% |
| 1710 | 64.03 km² per grid cell | +13.8% |
| 1720 | 71.56 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1730 | 79.97 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1740 | 89.37 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1750 | 99.88 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1760 | 111.63 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1770 | 124.75 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1780 | 139.42 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1790 | 155.82 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1800 | 174.14 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1810 | 194.62 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1820 | 217.5 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1830 | 243.08 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1840 | 271.66 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1850 | 303.59 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1860 | 339.17 km² per grid cell | +11.7% |
| 1870 | 378.42 km² per grid cell | +11.6% |
| 1880 | 419.96 km² per grid cell | +11.0% |
| 1890 | 458.27 km² per grid cell | +9.1% |
| 1900 | 479.76 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1910 | 479.76 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 479.76 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 479.76 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 479.76 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 494.56 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1951 | 508.34 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1952 | 523.11 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1953 | 539 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1954 | 556.24 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1955 | 575 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1956 | 595.44 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1957 | 617.62 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1958 | 641.76 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1959 | 667.88 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1960 | 696.17 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1961 | 722.99 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1962 | 746.37 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1963 | 771.17 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1964 | 797.73 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1965 | 826.18 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1966 | 856.76 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1967 | 889.45 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1968 | 924.34 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1969 | 961.45 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1970 | 1,001 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 1,043 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1972 | 1,087 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1973 | 1,136 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1974 | 1,188 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1975 | 1,243 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1976 | 1,299 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1977 | 1,359 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1978 | 1,422 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1979 | 1,490 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1980 | 1,564 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1981 | 1,642 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1982 | 1,722 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1983 | 1,807 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1984 | 1,896 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1985 | 1,990 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1986 | 2,089 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1987 | 2,191 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1988 | 2,296 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1989 | 2,402 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1990 | 2,506 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1991 | 2,607 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1992 | 2,706 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1993 | 2,806 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1994 | 2,910 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1995 | 3,021 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1996 | 3,140 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1997 | 3,267 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1998 | 3,400 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1999 | 3,538 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2000 | 3,680 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2001 | 3,795 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 2002 | 3,910 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2003 | 4,030 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 2004 | 4,151 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2005 | 4,274 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 4,403 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2007 | 4,532 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2008 | 4,667 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2009 | 4,802 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2010 | 4,908 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 5,146 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 2012 | 5,314 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2013 | 5,546 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 2014 | 5,795 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 2015 | 6,032 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2016 | 6,263 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2017 | 6,504 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2018 | 6,748 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2019 | 6,996 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 7,247 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2021 | 7,495 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 7,747 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2023 | 8,003 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2024 | 8,263 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 2025 | 8,527 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 8,527 km² per grid cell is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 837.49 km² per grid cell, 10.2× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 8,527 km² per grid cell is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,501 km² per grid cell, 5.7× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Pakistan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 | +290.0% | 3.91 km² per grid cell | 15.23 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +269.2% | 15.23 km² per grid cell | 56.25 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +239.8% | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | 1.22 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +219.2% | 1.22 km² per grid cell | 3.91 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +211.7% | 0.0124 km² per grid cell | 0.0386 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +211.3% | 0.0386 km² per grid cell | 0.1201 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0124 km² per grid cell | 0.0124 km² per grid cell | 0.0124 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0386 km² per grid cell | 0.0386 km² per grid cell | 0.0386 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.1201 km² per grid cell | 0.1201 km² per grid cell | 0.1201 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 1.22 km² per grid cell | 1.22 km² per grid cell | 1.22 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 3.91 km² per grid cell | 3.91 km² per grid cell | 3.91 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 15.23 km² per grid cell | 15.23 km² per grid cell | 15.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 56.25 km² per grid cell | 56.25 km² per grid cell | 56.25 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 64.03 km² per grid cell | 64.03 km² per grid cell | 64.03 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 71.56 km² per grid cell | 71.56 km² per grid cell | 71.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 79.97 km² per grid cell | 79.97 km² per grid cell | 79.97 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 89.37 km² per grid cell | 89.37 km² per grid cell | 89.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 99.88 km² per grid cell | 99.88 km² per grid cell | 99.88 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 111.63 km² per grid cell | 111.63 km² per grid cell | 111.63 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 124.75 km² per grid cell | 124.75 km² per grid cell | 124.75 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 139.42 km² per grid cell | 139.42 km² per grid cell | 139.42 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 155.82 km² per grid cell | 155.82 km² per grid cell | 155.82 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 174.14 km² per grid cell | 174.14 km² per grid cell | 174.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 194.62 km² per grid cell | 194.62 km² per grid cell | 194.62 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 217.5 km² per grid cell | 217.5 km² per grid cell | 217.5 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 243.08 km² per grid cell | 243.08 km² per grid cell | 243.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 271.66 km² per grid cell | 271.66 km² per grid cell | 271.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 303.59 km² per grid cell | 303.59 km² per grid cell | 303.59 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 339.17 km² per grid cell | 339.17 km² per grid cell | 339.17 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 378.42 km² per grid cell | 378.42 km² per grid cell | 378.42 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 419.96 km² per grid cell | 419.96 km² per grid cell | 419.96 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 458.27 km² per grid cell | 458.27 km² per grid cell | 458.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 479.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 571.9 km² per grid cell | 494.56 km² per grid cell | 667.88 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 819.26 km² per grid cell | 696.17 km² per grid cell | 961.45 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 1,227 km² per grid cell | 1,001 km² per grid cell | 1,490 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 1,960 km² per grid cell | 1,564 km² per grid cell | 2,402 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 2,990 km² per grid cell | 2,506 km² per grid cell | 3,538 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 4,224 km² per grid cell | 3,680 km² per grid cell | 4,802 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 5,925 km² per grid cell | 4,908 km² per grid cell | 6,996 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 7,880 km² per grid cell | 7,247 km² per grid cell | 8,527 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More reference data data for Pakistan
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 6.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 20.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 61.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 61.26 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 20.3 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 5.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 91.27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 260 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 10.79 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Pakistan?
- Urban area over the long-term in Pakistan was 8,527 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 8,527 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0124 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Pakistan rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Pakistan ranks 16th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 41.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.