pakistan donkey: Pakistan’s economy missed economic growth target, donkey population rises to 60 lakh in FY24: Economic Survey

The latest Pakistan Economic Survey (PES) 2023-24 shows a notable increase in the country’s donkey population, reaching 5.9 million, a 1.72% rise over the previous fiscal year. The data, released on Tuesday, highlights key economic achievements, with donkeys playing a significant role in the rural economy. The survey indicates a consistent rise in the donkey population over recent years. The number of donkeys was 5.5 million in 2019-2020, 5.6 million in 2020-21, 5.7 million in 2021-22, and 5.8 million in 2022-23, reaching 5.9 million in 2023-24. In contrast, the populations of horses and mules have remained unchanged at 0.4 million and 0.2 million, respectively, over the past five years.

Pakistan’s Economy Missed Growth Target

While the donkey population increased, Pakistan’s overall economic growth fell short of targets. The economy is expected to have expanded by 2.4% in the fiscal year ending this month, missing the 3.5% target, according to the government’s economic survey. This represents an improvement from last year’s contraction of 0.17% and aligns with the State Bank of Pakistan’s full-year projection. The central bank recently cut its key interest rate by 150 basis points to boost the economy.
Donkeys are crucial for many Pakistanis, particularly in rural areas where the economy is closely tied to livestock. They are often considered essential for transporting goods and supporting agricultural activities.

Other Livestock Statistics

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb presented the survey, which also includes data on other livestock. The cattle population increased to 57.5 million, buffalo to 46.3 million, sheep to 32.7 million, and goats to 87 million. The number of camels rose to 1.2 million from 1.1 million after four years of stagnation.

Contribution to GDP and Agricultural Sector

Livestock is a vital component of Pakistan’s rural economy, with over 8 million families engaged in production. The sector, which accounts for 60.84% of the agricultural sector and 14.63% of the GDP, grew by 3.89% in 2023-24, up from 3.70% last year.

The gross value addition of the livestock sector increased to Rs 5,804 billion in 2023-24 from Rs 5,587 billion in 2022-23, marking a growth rate of 3.9%.The livestock sector remains the primary driver of agricultural growth, contributing significantly to the national GDP and highlighting its importance in Pakistan’s broader economic landscape.