Amna Parvez

Poverty in Pakistan: Rural VS Urban

Pakistan is experiencing a serious poverty crisis. An estimated 44.7% of the population lives on less than $4.20 per day while approximately 16.5% live in extreme poverty on less than $3 per day, equating to roughly 114 million and 42 million people, respectively, who are unable to afford basic necessities of life.

While urban poverty in cities such as Karachi or Lahore is running rampant, the rural poor are in even deeper waters. 80% of poor Pakistanis live in rural areas, where resources are scarce, jobs are virtually diminished, and public services are grossly underfunded. Rural poverty is at approximately 36%, compared to 18% in urban areas, though the gap between rural and urban poverty is higher in parts of Pakistan such as Balochistan, where up to 85% of the rural population could be classified as “poor,” and urban poverty is about 38%. These statistics speak for themselves, representing the disparity of both opportunity and support in the village compared to the city, although both are incredibly difficult and very progressive struggles.

How Poverty Fuels Health Crises

Poverty entails more than just the absence of money; it includes both physical suffering and preventable illness. This issue often leads directly to hunger, disease, and poor health outcomes. In Pakistan, poverty is deeply tied to basic survival needs. Without food or clean water, people succumb to cycles of chronic poverty, starvation, and never-ending physical and mental suffering. Malnutrition is an issue: almost half of Pakistani children are chronically malnourished, 40% are underweight and 16% suffer from acute undernutrition. Women, especially rural women, suffer as well: 42% of women of reproductive age report anemia, making pregnancies riskier by increasing the chances of complications and maternal or infant death. 

Rural areas lack sufficient basic services, including healthcare; women are 28 percentage points less likely to give birth in medical facilities and children are 8.5 percentage points less likely to receive full immunization. These numbers represent real people whose lives are at risk simply because of where they were born. Maternal mortality remains high in Pakistan overall, at about 154 deaths per 100,000 live births, but rises dramatically in rural provinces like Balochistan, where the rate is closer to 298.

The conditions in which people live in some parts of the country are extremely concerning. People often live in cramped, unhygienic environments that allow for the spread of disease. In some circumstances, families may live in a makeshift shelter, a refugee-style camp or a small one-room house with little to no running water or sewage infrastructure, except for an open-pit latrine. In Tharparkar, for example, 87% of the population is considered “multidimensionally poor” (a definition of poverty that encompasses more than income), because they are deprived not only of income, but also in terms of education, health, and living conditions. 

From Living Conditions to Deformities and Lasting Harm

When individuals experience extreme poverty for generations, it not only impacts their bodies, it may result in genetic alterations. Lack of prenatal care, along with chronic malnutrition, can lead to birth defects and compromised immune systems. Infections, fractures, and treatable illnesses often go untreated and become lifelong afflictions. I’ve witnessed the consequences firsthand, from untreated injuries that become permanent disabilities to preventable conditions that are allowed to worsen: human beings living in near-constant pain, with visible deformities, limited motion, or chronic afflictions, not due to the absence of care or treatment, but due to the fact that it’s simply out of reach or too expensive. Many people in Pakistan go untreated for conditions such as cleft palates, clubfoot, burns, spinal injuries, or non-healed bone fractures, to name a few. These conditions are not just medical in nature; they are also systemic. They represent an under-resourced healthcare system that lacks reach to serve everyone equally. 

Why Specialized Care Is Out of Reach

Even when people receive the most basic of health care, anything beyond the basic is usually completely out of reach for them almost all the time. Specialized care, whether that entails surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, or chronic disease treatment, requires money, time, and travel that most people simply don’t have. Rural hospitals are generally underfunded and poorly equipped, with little to no access to specialists or advanced technology.

When you consider that nearly half of the population lives on less than $4.20 per day, it becomes clear how far out of reach a single hospital trip can be. Paying for transportation, tests, medication, and follow-up appointments can be more than a family earns in an entire week. In some cases, the nearest hospital may be hours away, and even then, it might not have the capacity to treat serious issues. As a result, people delay care until it’s too late or avoid seeking help altogether. 

Ways to Help: Creating Sustainable Change

There are many ways to help support people affected by poverty and healthcare inequality in Pakistan, even if you’re not there in person. Donating to reliable organizations that provide direct medical care, clean water, food, or surgery can make a huge difference, especially because small contributions often go a long way. Fundraising through events, social media campaigns, or local community efforts can also bring attention and resources to those in need. If you have specific skills like writing, graphic design, or social media outreach, many nonprofits welcome remote volunteers. Simply spreading awareness, by talking about these issues, sharing stories, or posting educational content, can also help inform others and motivate them to get involved. Every effort, no matter how small, contributes to creating a world where healthcare is a right, not a privilege. 

Organizations in Pakistan

• Edhi Foundation: known for its extensive social welfare services, including ambulance networks and emergency medical aid
• Al-Khidmat Foundation Pakistan: focuses on disaster management, healthcare, education, and community services
• Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre: provides free cancer treatment regardless of ability to pay
• Chhipa Welfare Association: offers ambulance services, food distribution, and homes for vulnerable populations
• Shahid Afridi Foundation: focuses on improving education, healthcare, and water access
• Aga Khan Foundation: works to improve quality of life in areas like health and education