9 December 2025
According to projections released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday — alongside its announcement of a fresh $1.2bn disbursement to Pakistan — the country’s economic growth is expected to edge up from 2.6pc in FY2024 to 3.2pc by FY2026. This pace, however, only roughly keeps up with the population increase in a country of 240.5 million people.
With per capita income standing at $1,677, the outlook suggests a period of economic restraint rather than genuine recovery. Pakistan’s population is also continuing to expand rapidly, with official mid-2025 estimates putting growth at 2.55pc, while World Bank figures range between 1.8pc and 1.9pc. Although lower than previous highs, the rate still poses a serious development challenge.
The prime minister noted that guiding the country away from the verge of default toward stability and gradual growth had been a “difficult phase, requiring collective sacrifice from all”. He said political parties had set aside their differences, while citizens bore economic hardships to “make the impossible possible”.
PM Shehbaz further expressed satisfaction that Pakistan’s reform and digitisation efforts had “become a successful case study and an example for the world”. He said he remained confident that the “dream of Pakistan’s economic development will be fulfilled soon”. While acknowledging that initial stability had been achieved, he stressed that more work was needed to push the economy toward sustained growth.
He also reaffirmed his “strong resolve” to work for public prosperity and to eliminate the country’s dependence on foreign loans. According to the statement, he believes the time is approaching when Pakistan will achieve economic self-reliance and free itself from debt.