A national census is mandated by the Constitution of Pakistan to be held every ten years. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, the first census took place in 1951 under Finance MinisterSir Malik Ghulam, serving under Prime MinisterLiaquat Ali Khan. Since 1951, there have been only 6 nationwide censuses. Delays and postponements have often been due to politicization. Pakistan's last completed census took place in 2017. The next national census was scheduled to take place in 2001 and later 2008, and again in 2010, but none of those plans could materialize. There were multiple census counts completed for the latest round in April 2012, but were subsequently thrown out as being "unreliable". A UN led census was to be conducted with staff training and GPS digitisation. As of 2015, the population of Pakistan is estimated at 191.71 million. As of 2016, the population of religious minorities in Pakistan have increased to 3 million. On August 25, 2017, the official results declared Pakistan's population to be 207.74 million. .
Census
1951
According to 1951 census, the Dominion of Pakistan had a population of 75 million, in which West Pakistan had a population of 33.7 million and East Pakistan had a population of 42 million. In 1951, Hindus constituted 12.9% of the Pakistani population, which made the Dominion of Pakistan the country with the world's second largest Hindu population after India. In the 1951 census, the population of West Pakistan was 1.6% Hindu, while East Pakistan was 22% Hindu. The overall population of West Pakistan was 2.9% non-Muslim, while East Pakistan was 23.2% non-Muslim. After the Partition of India in 1947, two-thirds of the Muslims resided in Pakistan and the remaining third resided in India.
1961
According to the 1961 census, the population of Pakistan was 93 million, with 42.8 million residing in West Pakistan and 50 million residing in East Pakistan. The literacy was 19.2%, in which East Pakistan had a literacy rate of 21.5% while West Pakistan had a literacy rate of 16.9%. Hindus in East Pakistan were 18.4%
1972
The scheduled 1971 census was postponed due to the political crisis of 1970 followed by the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and subsequent loss of East Pakistan. In 1970, the population was 65 million in the East Pakistan and 58 million in West Pakistan. According to the 1972 census, the population of Pakistan was 65.3 million. After 1972, the Census Organization was merged into the Ministry of Interior.
1981
According to the 1981 census, the population of Pakistan was 83.783 million.
1998
According to the 1998 census, the population of Pakistan was 132,352,279. however non Muslim population increased to 3.75%.
2017
According to the 2017 census official results, declared on August 25, 2017, the population of Pakistan was 207,774,520.Religious data on this census is yet to be revealed.
2027
The seventh national census is scheduled to take place in 2027.
