Islamabad, July 6, 2025 – Good news for Pakistan’s economy: the agriculture sector is making a strong comeback! According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025, the country’s agriculture share in GDP has jumped from 21.9% in 2019–20 to an impressive 24.03% in 2023–24. This rise highlights how agriculture is not just surviving—it’s thriving and playing a bigger role in national economic growth.
Let’s put this in perspective. When we compare South Asia’s major economies—Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh—Pakistan now leads in terms of agriculture’s share in GDP. While all three countries share similar agro-climatic conditions, their policies and sector priorities paint very different pictures.
In India, the story is quite different. The agriculture share in GDP has declined from 18.7% in 2019–20 to 16.0% in 2023–24. Though industrial and service sectors have grown rapidly, the shrinking agriculture share raises concerns about rural incomes and rising disparities between urban and rural areas. It’s a sign that agriculture may be losing ground, even as millions still rely on it for their livelihood.
Bangladesh, on the other hand, shows a slow but steady decline in its agriculture GDP share, from 12.0% to 11.2% during the same period. This reflects a successful structural shift toward manufacturing and services—especially textiles—but also underscores the need to protect smallholder farmers and ensure food security.
So, what sets Pakistan apart?
Experts credit targeted support programs, improved crop performance, and better water and input management. The increase in agriculture’s share reflects the sector’s resilience and importance in cushioning economic shocks. It also points to potential for rural uplift if reforms and investments continue.
In the coming years, balanced growth between agriculture, industry, and services will be critical. While a higher agriculture share in GDP is encouraging, the focus must stay on increasing productivity, empowering farmers, and sustaining food security—because when agriculture grows, so does Pakistan.