Islamabad, September 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Only around 2 per cent of ever-married women aged 15 to 49 in Pakistan own land either individually or jointly, highlighting the country’s persistent gender gap in property ownership and economic participation, according to a recent study cited by local media.
The study by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) found that 67 per cent of women are employed in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, yet women head only 1.5 per cent of agricultural households, Dawn reported.
It further found that 97.2 per cent of women had not inherited a house or land. The disparity is particularly stark in Sindh, where 99.1 per cent of women do not own land either individually or jointly.
The study also highlighted a significant gender gap in access to financial services. While 57 per cent of men have a financial account, the figure for women is only 14 per cent. Similarly, 48 per cent of men own a mobile wallet compared with just 11 per cent of women.
The findings come amid broader concerns over gender inequality in Pakistan. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 ranked Pakistan last among the countries assessed, with its overall gender parity score declining from 57 per cent in 2024 to 56.7 per cent in 2025.
According to World Bank data cited in the report, women account for only 22 per cent of Pakistan’s total labour force.
The Diplomat has also highlighted concerns over violence against women and barriers to their participation in public and professional life. A recent acid attack on a woman doctor at a public hospital in Quetta triggered protests demanding greater protection for working women, restrictions on the sale of acid and stronger implementation of anti-acid attack laws.
The report noted that Pakistan does not maintain official statistics on acid attacks. Such incidents, along with economic exclusion and social restrictions, can further discourage women from pursuing education and professional careers.
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