Livelihoods in Pakistan
An estimated 8.6 million youth are out of work in Pakistan. With a rapidly growing population, young people are facing multiple challenges. Alongside this, the female labour market participation in Pakistan is low at 24% and only 1% of women in Pakistan are engaged in enterprise. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating floods, on those most vulnerable, has led to further loss of employment and income.
The problem
Pakistan is at a pivotal point, set to become the fifth most populous country in the world by 2050, with a population of almost 300 million. Its labour market is projected to grow from 60 to 87 million by 2030, requiring the economy to produce 1.7 million new jobs every year.
Currently:
- over 60% of the population is living in poverty on less than $2 a day
- slow economic growth means limited employment opportunities, and the labour market lacks the skills needed to fill vacancies.
- less than 10% of the 45 million young people will have the skills employers need by 2030.
- 8.6 million youth are unemployed
- rural poverty is rising, with marginalised groups and women excluded from agricultural and other livelihoods.
Without support to establish secure livelihoods, these groups risk being further marginalised and falling further into poverty.
Our solution
Boosting employment opportunities for a fast growing, young population and increasing the low labour participation rate of women is a catalyst for economic and social change. Our work aims to equip people, especially women and young adults, with the skills to secure jobs and become entrepreneurs. Our focus is on creating and supporting sustainable livelihoods, life skills and job retention, not just on providing people with vocational training.
Our programme
Our programme helps reduce multi-dimensional poverty in rural and urban households by providing vulnerable groups in Pakistan with access to skills and training to support employment and enterprise development.
Our programme aims to:
- enable sustained and better economic outcomes for women and youth
- create a strong livelihoods ecosystem in Pakistan
- provide support to bring women and youth into the formal economy
Key projects
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Thriving Futures (2025 - 2027)
Annabel Gerry
“There is real power to this project and the work that British Asian Trust and its partners are doing. The outcomes of the project aligns with the goal of the UK Government and the Government of Pakistan investing in women’s economic opportunities and a more inclusive education system. We’re hoping for more role models, replication and a ripple effect.”
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News & events
900 female microentrepreneurs to be supported through renewed partnership between the British Asian Trust and the Standard Chartered Foundation
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News & events
Enterprise programme celebrates supporting 900 women to grow their businesses
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News & events
British Asian Trust celebrates empowering 1,500 young people through the Citi Foundation’s Pathways to Progress initiative
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News & events
Celebrating a successful partnership creating sustainable livelihoods for Agripreneurs
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Past work
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Catalysing women-led enterprise growth (2022-2025)
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Digital acceleration of youth-led microenterprises (2022-2024)
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Driving Women’s Economic Empowerment programme (2022-2025)
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Accelerating growth of youth-led microenterprises (2022-2024)
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Agripreneurs Phase II (2022-2024)
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Goats for water project (2022-2024)
