The economy of Pakistan is categorized as a developing economy. It ranks as the 26th largest based on GDP using purchasing power parity (PPP) and the 41st largest in terms of nominal GDP. With a population of 255.3 million people as of 2025, Pakistan's position at per capita income ranks 161st by GDP (nominal) and 142nd by GDP (PPP) according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In its early years, Pakistan's economy relied heavily on private industries. The nationalization of a significant portion of the sector, including financial services, manufacturing, and transportation, began in the early 1970s under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. During Zia-ul Haq's regime in the 1980s, an "Islamic" economy was adopted, outlawing economic practices forbidden in Sharīʿah and mandating traditional religious practices. The economy started privatizing again in the 1990s.