Mapping the economy

The launch of the first-ever Economic Census marks a watershed moment in Pakistan's planning history. For decades, the absence of comprehensive economic data had left policymakers working with incomplete pictures, relying largely on population and agricultural censuses. With the new report filling this critical gap, Pakistan finally has the missing piece of the puzzle needed for informed, evidence-based economic planning.

According to the report, the services sector dominates, accounting for the largest share of establishments and employment, with retail trade alone nearing three million units. Punjab emerges as the overall economic hub, though Sindh leads in services, while Balochistan and K-P lag behind with smaller establishments and weaker workforce participation.

The census also exposes the staggering scale of informality: only 250,000 companies are registered with the SECP compared to millions of operating establishments. This data is invaluable. It identifies opportunities for broadening the tax base by formalising enterprises, and designing targeted interventions for small businesses. It reveals structural weaknesses — such as the overwhelming dominance of small establishments with fewer than ten employees — and highlights regional disparities that must be addressed if balanced growth is to be achieved.

For policymakers, the task now is to ensure that this landmark census does not gather dust on bureaucratic shelves. It should be integrated into fiscal planning. Used wisely, it can guide investments while also helping the state craft incentives for business formalisation and innovation. At a time of fiscal stress, this information is indeed indispensable.

This census is, in many ways, a mirror held up to the economy. The real question now is whether the state will act on what it sees. It needs to be utilised properly so as to become the basis for a more resilient and inclusive economy.