What's new

Pakistan GDP Growth 1960-2017: How Does Pakistan Compare With China and India?

RiazHaq

SENIOR MEMBER
Joined
Oct 31, 2009
Messages
6,611
Reaction score
70
Country
Pakistan
Location
United States
http://www.riazhaq.com/2018/07/pakistan-gdp-growth-1960-2017-how-does.html

The latest GDP figures in terms of current US dollars released by the World Bank for 2017 put Pakistan's GDP at $305 billion, India's at $2,597 billion and China's at $12,237 billion. The World Bank also lists where the gross domestic products of each country in current US dollars stood in 1960.


GDP Growth in Current US$ 1960-2017. Source: World Bank

Economic Growth Since 1960:

According to the report released in June, 2018 shows that Pakistan's GDP has grown from $3.7 billion in 1960 to $305 billion in 2017, or 82.4 times. In the same period, India's GDP grew from $37 billion in 1960 to $2,597 billion in 2017 or 71.15 times. Both South Asian nations have outpaced the world GDP growth of 60 times from 1960 to 2017.

While Pakistan's GDP growth of 82X from 1960 to 2017 is faster than India's 71X and it appears impressive, it pales in comparison to Malaysia's 157X, China's 205X and South Korea's 382X during the same period.

Economic Growth Since 1998:

In spite of all of the multiple challenges on several fronts that Pakistan continues to face, the country's 5X GDP growth over the last two decades is not too shabby when compared with India's 6.5X jump in the same period. Here are the figures for several countries from Spectator Index:

China: 13X growth in GDP from $1 trillion in 1998 to $13.1 trillion in 2018

India: 6.5X growth in GDP from $400 billion in 1998 to $2.6 trillion in 2018

Pakistan: 5X growth in GDP from $62 billion in 1998 to $310 billion in 2018

United States: 2.2X growth in GDP from $9 trillion in 1998 to $20 trillion in 2018

Japan: 1.25X growth in GDP from $4 trillion in 1998 to $5 trillion in 2018

Per Capita Incomes:

Pakistan has not done as well in terms of per capita income growth for several reasons including poor governance and corruption since 2008 and faster population growth than in China, India and other countries. Per Capita income in Pakistan grew 22% since 2012, half of the 43% growth in India during the same period. China topped with 48% in per capita income since 2012.

Here are per capita income growth figures for selected countries since 2012:

China: 48%, India: 43%, Turkey: 32%, Indonesia: 29%, Pakistan: 22%, UK: 15%, US: 15%, Japan: 15%, Germany: 13%, Canada: 13%, France: 11%, Saudi Arabia: 10%, Greece: 9.5%, Russia: 8%, Italy: 8%, Nigeria: 7.5% and Brazil: 0%.


Per Capita GDP Comparison. Source: Hindustan Times


Pakistan has lagged its peers in per capita income growth over the last 5 decades. Pakistan's economic performance is especially disappointing relative to Asian Tigers like Malaysia and South Korea. Pakistan was on a similar trajectory as the Asian Tigers during 1960s under Gen Ayub Khan's rule. GDP growth in this decade jumped to an average annual rate of 6 percent from 3 percent in the 1950s, according to Pakistani economist Dr. Ishrat Husain. Dr. Husain says: "The manufacturing sector expanded by 9 percent annually and various new industries were set up. Agriculture grew at a respectable rate of 4 percent with the introduction of Green Revolution technology. Governance improved with a major expansion in the government’s capacity for policy analysis, design and implementation, as well as the far-reaching process of institution building.7 The Pakistani polity evolved from what political scientists called a “soft state” to a “developmental” one that had acquired the semblance of political legitimacy. By 1969, Pakistan’s manufactured exports were higher than the exports of Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia combined."


Pakistan Growth By Decades. Source: National Trade and Transport Facility

Since 1947, Pakistan has seen three periods of military rule: 1960s, 1980s and 2000s. In each of these decades, Pakistan's economy has performed significantly better than in decades under political governments. The worst decade for Pakistan's economy was 1990s, also known as the lost decade, when the GDP grew just 4% as Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif took turns to mismanage it.

Pakistan's GDP growth in decades under military rule has been 1.5-2.5% faster on average than under civilian rule. Though the difference of 1.5% in GDP growth appears small, it would have made a huge difference when compounded over multiple decades and put Pakistan in the ranks of Asian Tigers.

Summary:

Pakistan has defied repeated dire forecasts of doom and gloom since its independence. According to the report released in June, 2018 shows that Pakistan's GDP has grown from $3.7 billion in 1960 to $305 billion in 2017, or 82.4 times. In the same period, India's GDP grew from $37 billion in 1960 to $2,597 billion in 2017 or 71.15 times. Both South Asian nations have outpaced the world GDP growth of 60 times from 1960 to 2017. Pakistan's economy has grown 500% over the last two decades in spite of political corruption and serious security challenges and instability created by the Afghan war next door and Indian sponsored proxy war against it. Pakistan's GDP growth in decades under military rule has been 1.5-2% faster on average than under civilian rule. Though the difference of 1.5% in GDP growth appears small, it would have made a huge difference when compounded over multiple decades and put Pakistan in the ranks of Asian Tigers.

Related Links:

Haq's Musings

Pakistan Rising or Falling? Myth vs Reality

Pakistanis Happier Than Neighbors

Pakistan's Trillion Dollar Economy

Pakistan Broadband Market

Pakistani-American Astrophysicist Dr. Nergis Mavalvala in Silicon Valley

Pakistani Woman Leads World Economic Forum's Gender Parity Program

Malala Inspires School Enrollment Surge in Pakistan

Hindu Dalit Woman Elected to Pakistan Senate

http://www.riazhaq.com/2018/07/pakistan-gdp-growth-1960-2017-how-does.html
 
Last edited:
.
eye opener.....and we will see Pakistan growing faster again since Indian establishment and Hindu govt more focus is Pakistan not to work for poor indians or economics whereas there is a big change in Pakistan where political parties and people have become more progressive and mature.
 
.
eye opener.....and we will see Pakistan growing faster again since Indian establishment and Hindu govt more focus is Pakistan not to work for poor indians or economics whereas there is a big change in Pakistan where political parties and people have become more progressive and mature.

So, when are you approaching the IMF?
 
. .
So, when are you approaching the IMF?

On topic : the figures of Pakistan shows its GDP was 3.7 billion dollars while of India it was 37 billion dollars. Now, one should also know that The figures for Pakistan Include current Bangladesh too. Which means west Pakistan had a GDP of around 2 billion dollars. Compared to Indias 37 billion.
 
.
On topic : the figures of Pakistan shows its GDP was 3.7 billion dollars while of India it was 37 billion dollars. Now, one should also know that The figures for Pakistan Include current Bangladesh too. Which means west Pakistan had a GDP of around 2 billion dollars. Compared to Indias 37 billion.

Nope, Pakistan's figures only include that of curren Pakistan. Hint: Refer per capita income.
 
.
Nope, Pakistan's figures only include that of curren Pakistan. Hint: Refer per capita income.

That graph didn't mention bangladesh as separate country.

While i do agree with the logic you made but it have a trick, if Per capita was 82 in 1960. It should have increased after Independence of Bangladesh as we lost half of our population. But you see, we also lost half of our GDP.
 
.
Hindu govt more focus is Pakistan not to work for poor indians or economics whereas there is a big change in Pakistan where political parties and people have become more progressive and mature.

This is a Zaid Hamid version of Indian economic growth. We least care about Pakistan or any other country. We are a fastest growing major economy so how can we focus of Pakistan? We are focused on pushing our GDP growth rate above 9%. We have almost finished poverty and we are all set to take our massive population to next level of fecilities such as electricity to all houses and medical felicities to all.
 
.
That graph didn't mention bangladesh as separate country.

While i do agree with the logic you made but it have a trick, if Per capita was 82 in 1960. It should have increased after Independence of Bangladesh as we lost half of our population. But you see, we also lost half of our GDP.

Just divide the GDP with percapita income, you will get the population which comes to around 44million in 1960. Population of undivided Pakistan was around 90million in 1960.
 
.
Just divide the GDP with percapita income, you will get the population which comes to around 44million in 1960. Population of undivided Pakistan was around 90million in 1960.

Fair point
 
.
eye opener.....and we will see Pakistan growing faster again since Indian establishment and Hindu govt more focus is Pakistan not to work for poor indians or economics whereas there is a big change in Pakistan where political parties and people have become more progressive and mature.

Thats true, long way to go for Pakistan. Good thing is Pakistan is in right direction, things dont happen over night.

Currently Pakistan's economy is in turmoil , no doubt about it, Indians can ridicule about it and make fun of it as much as they want. But Pakistan will bounce back, all in good times my friend.
 
.
This is a Zaid Hamid version of Indian economic growth. We least care about Pakistan or any other country. We are a fastest growing major economy so how can we focus of Pakistan? We are focused on pushing our GDP growth rate above 9%. We have almost finished poverty and we are all set to take our massive population to next level of fecilities such as electricity to all houses and medical felicities to all.

Your 7 % growth has only affected the billionaires in India. As we speak India has the poorest in the world living in conditions not imagined even by Somalis.
 
.
Your 7 % growth has only affected the billionaires in India. As we speak India has the poorest in the world living in conditions not imagined even by Somalis.

You are not aware of the facts. So I can not help you.
 
.
Back
Top Bottom