Nearly one in three districts in Pakistan has a higher proportion of non-working-age individuals than working-age population, reveals the District Vulnerability Index Pakistan (DVIP) 2025.

This measure, known as the age dependency ratio (ADR), compares the population below 15 years and above 64 years with the working-age population to indicate how many dependents rely on every 100 working-age individuals.

According to the DVIP data, 45 out of 129 districts recorded an age dependency ratio of 100 or above, indicating that the dependent-age population exceeded the working-age population. All 45 districts are predominantly rural. Overall, Pakistan has above 60 percent of its population within 15-64 age bracket.

How do provinces compare on age dependency ratio?

The highest number of districts with an age dependency ratio of 100 or above is observed in Balochistan, with 26 such districts. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa follows with 11 districts, while Sindh has six and Punjab has two districts.

At the national level, Zhob district recorded the highest age dependency ratio at 157, while Karachi South reported the lowest ratio at 57.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kohistan recorded the highest age dependency ratio at 147, while Abbottabad had the lowest at 67. Punjab’s highest ratio was observed in Rajanpur at 105, compared to the lowest in Jhelum at 59. In Sindh, Tharparkar recorded a high dependency ratio of 123, while Karachi South remained the lowest at 57. In Balochistan, Zhob had the highest age dependency ratio, while Kech recorded the lowest within the province.

What factors contribute to higher age dependency in rural districts?

Higher age dependency ratios in predominantly rural districts are linked to high fertility rates and larger household sizes, out-migration of working-age populations due to limited local employment opportunities, low female labour force participation, and restricted access to education and family planning services.