ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (Wealth Pakistan): A total of 45.4 million women performed domestic and care work in Pakistan during 2024-25, according to the latest findings of the Labour Force Survey released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Overview of domestic and care work
The survey presents, for the first time in its updated format, detailed estimates of individuals undertaking unpaid household and care-related tasks. These activities are recorded for both men and women, with women forming the majority.
According to the Labour Force Survey 2024-25 document available with Wealth Pakistan, domestic and care work includes cooking, cleaning, washing, managing household tasks, caring for children and older persons, and supporting other household members. These tasks are unpaid and are not classified as employment, but they represent a large share of non-market work carried out nationwide.
National distribution of domestic tasks
The survey shows that 53.1 million individuals performed unpaid domestic and care activities in 2024-25. Out of these, 45.4 million were females and 7.7 million were males.
The data groups domestic and care work into several task categories. These include food preparation, household cleaning, washing clothes and linens, caregiving for children and older persons, and other support activities. Individuals may complete one or several tasks depending on household needs and personal circumstances.
Participation across age groups and localities
The survey records participation in domestic and care work across all age groups. Adults represent the largest share, although contributions are also noted among younger and older individuals.
Domestic and care work is widespread in both rural and urban areas. Rural households generally report higher participation due to family structures and the availability of household-based support systems.
Updated questionnaire and international alignment
The Labour Force Survey now uses an expanded questionnaire aligned with recommendations from the 19th and 21st International Conference of Labour Statisticians. This update improves the measurement of unpaid household labour and allows comparison with future survey rounds.
The revised questionnaire collects information on time spent on tasks, secondary household activities, and whether individuals performing domestic work are also engaged in employment or education.
Provincial and regional variation
Provincial data presented in the survey’s graphical annex shows variation across regions and between urban and rural areas. Rural localities tend to record higher participation, although urban areas also show substantial involvement in unpaid domestic work.
Pakistan’s household structure, including extended family arrangements, influences the distribution of unpaid domestic and care responsibilities across regions.
Domestic work combined with other activities
The survey also notes whether individuals engaged in domestic and care work perform other productive tasks. These include paid employment, subsistence farming, contributing family work or institutional education. Many individuals performing domestic work are also enrolled in education or manage multiple responsibilities within the household.
Survey design and methodology
The Labour Force Survey 2024-25 is based on a nationally representative sample of 53,974 households. The sample was selected through a stratified two-stage sampling design covering 3,796 primary sampling units, including 1,476 urban and 2,320 rural blocks.
Data was collected from July 2024 to June 2025 and is based on the 2023 census population estimates adjusted by an annual growth rate of 2.075 percent.
Key finding
The survey shows that unpaid domestic and care work remains a major component of household activity in Pakistan. A total of 45.4 million women and 7.7 million men performed these tasks in 2024-25. The updated survey documentation provides a comprehensive and expanded measurement of this essential but unpaid segment of national labour.