Poverty levels in Pakistan are high and have been rising in recent years. This K4DD Rapid Evidence Review explores the drivers of poverty dynamics in Pakistan.
While many factors influence poverty dynamics in Pakistan, this review was asked to focus on family-level and structural factors. Key among the former are household characteristics (in particular education of household head and household size), marginalisation (e.g. on the basis of gender, religion), social capital and aspirations.
Key among the latter are the distribution of wealth, market functioning, labour dynamics and access to services. Gender (being female) exacerbates poverty in relation to both family-level and structural factors. The review highlights how poor households are disadvantaged in accessing opportunities that could lift them out of poverty.
