Livelihoods in Pakistan
Pakistan is set to become the fifth most populous country in the world as its population is projected to exceed 300 million by 2050. Poverty and economic pressures continue to grow, with 39.4% of the population living below the poverty line in 2023. Women make up 49.6% of the population and young people 68%, yet their potential remains largely untapped. Unlocking the potential of these groups is critical to building a more inclusive and resilient future.
The problem
Pakistan is at a pivotal point, with poverty continuing to rise and its largest demographics of women and youth left underleveraged.
Currently:
- 39.4% of the population is living below the poverty line, an increase of 12.5 million people from 2022
- Female labour force participation stands at just 22%, down from 24% in 2015
- Only 1% of women in Pakistan are engaged in enterprise
- 31% of youth are not in education, employment or training
- Of those in the labour force, 72% are employed in the informal sector, characterised by low income, unstable terms, and unsafe conditions
Without support to establish secure livelihoods, these groups risk being further marginalised and falling further into poverty.
Our solution
We are committed to economically empowering women and young people and creating an ecosystem in which they can thrive as economic actors.
Over the last 10 years, in Pakistan, we have:
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Supported over 20,000 women and young people in gaining sustainable livelihoods
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Delivered £9 million livelihoods programme through corporate and multi-lateral funding
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Secured funding to design Pakistan’s first employment impact bond; pioneering work as an innovator in financing solutions for livelihoods outcomes
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Established partnerships with 15 local organisations, positioning itself to potentially become a leader in the women and youth economic empowerment sector
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
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Enterprise Acceleration Programme
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Healthy Enterprise Ecosystem for Young Entrepreneurs Initiative
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Pathways to Rise
“There is real power to this project and the work that the 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
British Asian Trust Selected for Citi Foundation 2025 Global Innovation Challenge
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News & events
'Pathways to Rise': Launch of new project supporting 400 women-led enterprises in Pakistan
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Blogs
A new chapter for women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan: The Enterprise Acceleration Programme
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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
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)
