The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Pakistan, with New York set as the baseline, was 30.71, making it the third least expensive country to live in. PHOTO: ZAHOORUL HAQ/EXPRESS
Despite the power cuts, fuel shortage, gas truancy and security challenges faced by Pakistan, the country was ranked as the third least expensive country in the world to live in.
According to the data compiled by Numbeo.com, the consumer price index (CPI) for Pakistan, with New York set as the baseline, was 30.71, making it the third least expensive country to live in, just behind India (26.27) and Nepal (28.85).
As per the rent index, which compares rent with New York as base, Pakistan was ranked as the second cheapest country in the world with 4.81 points, just behind Nepal 3.23. Bangladesh was ranked third with 5.85 index points.
Rawalpindi the most inexpensive Pakistani city
The situation within Pakistan also differs from city to city.
In terms of both CPI and the rent index, Rawalpindi is the least expensive city with CPI and rent index of 27.27 and 4.25 respectively.
Karachi and Lahore came in second and third respectively with CPI of 31.60 and 33.25, rent index of 5.01 and 5.55, respectively.
Islamabad was the most expensive city to live in among the four major cities included in the study, with a CPI of 34.71 and rent index of 7.97.
Watch your wallet in these countries
While you may have to guard against pickpockets in some parts of the cheapest countries of the world, in Switzerland, Norway and Venezuela, you may have to watch what you spend or else you will quickly find your wallet empty.
The study found that these three countries were the most expensive to live in with CPI of 126.03, 118.59 and 111.01, respectively. While on the rent index, these countries scored 57.63, 48.70 and 34.13, respectively.
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COMMENTS (12)
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Pakistan is not having that much big security issue as some people have said. It is cheap to live in but pays of citizens of Pakistan are also less. It is comparative analysis of people pays and expense of living that tells that a city is expensive or cheap to live in.....
Its cheapest by purchasing power parity, on the international level. But in real terms, its as expensive as can gets for the local people. Unless your income is in dollars or have unlimited income. A person earning 50 K per month will find Karachi expensive, but anyone earning 5 K USD(about 60 K USD annually) will find it cheap. Its all relative and doesn't works like taht for the local population. For big businessmen and rich people, its a bargain.
And cheapest country to die in.... All one needs is to go out and stand in a crowded area and get blown apart.
Simple example: My travel to Vienna. Price of water bottle in Islamabad PKR 20, at Islamabad Airport lounge PKR 50, At Dubai Airport PKR 250, in Vienna PKR 350....
It would be interesting for readers to know the income level of working class verses their percentage: Rs. 6,000. % Rs. 8,000. % Rs. 10,000. % Rs. 15,000. % Rs. 20,000. % Rs. 50,000. % Rs. 100,00 . % Rs. 200,000. % And for a family of four including 2 school going children can you provide the following stats on a per month basis: 1. House hold expense. Food etc. 2. House rent 3. School fees. 4. Medical expense 5. Transportation & travel. 6. Electricity, gas, water, mobile bills. 7. Savings, if any.
@Sid, Foucs what article says, they are comparing it with base index. They are not talking about purchasing power, If you start taking purchasing power and then comparing how would u be dealing 178 countries data. It is ridiculous what you are saying. You have to focus in which country you pay how much for what. What is there purchasing power is separate issue. With your comment you are denying you do not need information.
Third cheapest country? Could someone please inform numbeo.com that this is January, not April. Thank you!
This is for those who earn in foreign currency like exporters, expatriates and dependents of foreign workers.
Third cheapest country to live in?! Is this a joke. What are your basis of comparisons; for whom is it cheaper and by how much? Purchasing power parity varies extremely across and within countries. Having lived in London, I would safely say that living expenses in Karachi are about 40% of London which is also one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in. This is a very subjective topic and poorly dealt with in this article. It would make more sense to compare this NY index with GNP per capita.