Elementor #28549

Pakistan Demographic & Health Survey (PDHS) is a national survey that will generate reliable National and Provincial level representative data on Population, Fertility, Maternal and Child Health, Nutrition, Mortality, Family Planning, Gender, Early Childhood Development, Stunting, Wasting and other key social and demographic indicators to support evidence-based planning and monitoring of national and international development commitments.

PDHS 2026-27 has been designed following extensive technical consultations, stakeholder engagement and alignment with international standards to provide high-quality data for policymakers, researchers, development partners and other users.

Background

On 10^th December 2024, Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives directed Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) to conduct Pakistan Demographic & Health Survey (PDHS) by integrating the required demographic, health, fertility and mortality modules into the existing Pakistan Demographic Survey (PDS). This strategic decision aims to strengthen Pakistan’s national statistical system by reducing duplication of data collection, improving operational efficiency and ensuring the optimum utilization of public resources.

Previously, demographic, health, fertility and mortality indicators were collected through separate national surveys, including Pakistan Demographic Survey (PDS) conducted by PBS (last conducted in 2020), Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) conducted by PBS (last conducted in 2024-25) and Pakistan Demographic & Health Survey (PDHS) conducted by National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS) (last conducted in 2017-18).

Recognizing the increasing demand for high-quality and disaggregated data, PBS undertook a comprehensive review of both the questionnaire and survey methodology in close consultation with national stakeholders, development partners and technical experts.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Pakistan Demographic & Health Survey (PDHS) 2026-27 are to:

• Generate national and provincial level representative and internationally comparable demographic and health statistics.
• Produce reliable estimates on fertility, mortality, maternal health, child health, nutrition, family planning, reproductive health and other key demographic indicators.
• Provide data required for monitoring national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Generate information on emerging policy priorities including Early Childhood Development (ECD), climate change, women’s empowerment, diet quality, anthropometric measurement (stunting and wasting), ICT and WASH.
• Improve mortality measurement through enhanced birth and death enumeration procedures.

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Coverage

The PDHS 2026-27 has been designed to support monitoring of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The survey will generate information for monitoring:

• 13 Sustainable Development Goals
• 33 SDG indicators

Coverage includes:

• 29 indicators fully covered
• 4 indicators partially covered

The survey contributes to monitoring SDGs related to poverty, nutrition, health, education, gender equality, water and sanitation, clean energy, economic inclusion, infrastructure, sustainable cities, climate action, peace and justice and digital connectivity.