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.

Questionnaire and Methodology Development Process

The PDHS questionnaire has been developed through a systematic and evidence-based process involving national and international experts.

The development process included:

• Comprehensive review of questionnaires and indicators from similar national and international surveys.
• Identification of overlapping indicators to minimize duplication.
• Harmonization of demographic, fertility, mortality, maternal and child health, nutrition, and socio-economic indicators.
• Incorporation of internationally comparable indicators while addressing national policy priorities.

The following surveys and international guidelines were reviewed:

• Pakistan Demographic Survey (PDS)
• Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLM)
• Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES)
• Previous Pakistan Demographic and Health Surveys (PDHS)
• Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)
• DHS-8 Model Questionnaire Guidelines

Technical Review and Consultation Process

Following completion of the initial draft, the proposed questionnaire underwent several stages of technical review.

In-House Technical Committee

The comparison of survey modules and proposed indicators was presented before the PBS In-House Technical Committee on 18^th July 2025.

Based on recommendations of the committee:

• Version 1 of the questionnaire was prepared.
• Relevant, practical and policy-oriented modules were incorporated.
• The draft questionnaire was circulated among committee members for detailed review.

The committee further recommended constituting a broader Technical Committee comprising national and international experts.

Technical Committee

 
Composition of Technical Committee

A Technical Committee was constituted on 6^th October 2025 consisting of:

• Renowned demographers
• Government representatives
• Policy makers
• Academic experts
• Researchers
• Development partners
• International organizations

The first meeting of the Technical Committee was held on 30^th October 2025. Members reviewed the complete questionnaire and proposed:

• Structural improvements
• Technical revisions
• Module rationalization
• Alignment with international standards
• Inclusion of emerging development priorities

To facilitate detailed review, three sub-technical committees were established to review modules mention against each committee:

Sub Committee I

Meeting was held on 5^th January 2026 to review Governance, education, ICT, housing, wealth index and WASH modules.

The first meeting of the Technical Committee was held on 30^th October 2025. Members reviewed the complete questionnaire and proposed:

• Structural improvements
• Technical revisions
• Module rationalization
• Alignment with international standards
• Inclusion of emerging development priorities

Composition of Sub Committee I

• Ms. Rabia Awan, DDG, PBS.
• Dr. Soofia Yunis, Director Programs, National Health Services and Regulations.
• Dr. Tauseef Ahmed, Demographer.
• Mr. Saqib Sultan Khawar, SO, PBS.
• UNFPA Representative
• Ms. Ayesha Sajid, Instructor, Member/Secretary (PBS).

Sub Committee II: Meeting was held on 14^th January 2026 to review Fertility, family planning, pregnancy, maternal health, antenatal and postnatal care and reproductive health modules.

 
Composition of Sub Committee II

• Ms. Rabia Awan, DDG, PBS.
• Dr. Shabana Saleem, DG (Population), M/o National Health Services and Regulations, Islamabad
• Dr. Saima Bashir, Senior Research Demographer, PIDE.
• Ms. Rabia Zafar Director, NIPS.
• Ms. Kaneez Amna, CSO, PBS.
• Mr. Muqaddar Shah, UNFPA Representative
• Ms. Ayesha Sajid, Instructor, PBS Member/Secretary (PBS)

Sub Committee III : Meeting was held on 22^nd January 2026 to review Child health, nutrition, women’s health, domestic violence, climate change and Early Childhood Development (ECD) modules.

Composition of Sub Committee III

• Ms. Rabia Awan, DDG, PBS.
• Ms. Ayesha Shiraz, Health Services Academy
• UNFPA Representative
• UNICEF Representative
• Ms. Ayesha Sajid, Instructor, Member/Secretary (PBS)

Multiple consultative meetings were held, and recommendations from all stakeholders were incorporated into the revised questionnaire.

Early Childhood Development (ECD) Module

A technical meeting between PBS and UNICEF was held on 28^th April 2026 for inclusion of the ECDI 2030 module in PDHS in line with international practice.

Technical meeting between PBS and UNICEF held on 28^th April 2026 for inclusion of the ECDI 2030 module in PDHS in line with international practice. Virtual follow-up meeting was held on 8^th May 2026 to finalize the proposed approach. The ECDI module will strengthen national monitoring of child development and improve international comparability.

Major Sector covered

The proposed PDHS questionnaire includes modules covering:

• Household Characteristics
• Household Roster
• Literacy
• Education
• Registration with NADRA
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Employment
• Housing Characteristics
• Household Assets and Wealth Index
• Pregnancy History
• Maternal Health
• Antenatal Care
• Postnatal Care
• Contraception
• Unmet Need
• Fertility Preferences
• Child Health
• Immunization
• Childhood Illness
• Nutrition
• Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Practices
• Anthropometric Measurements
• Women’s Diet Quality
• Early Childhood Development (ECDI 2030)
• Domestic Violence
• Women’s Empowerment and Decision Making
• Mortality
• Community Characteristics
• Climate Change and Environmental Indicators

Survey Methodology

• Stratified two-stage sample design
• National and Provincial representative sample
• Coverage of all provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir
• Urban and rural representation
• Survey frequency: Every four years

Data Collection

• PBS ERP Solution
• Tablet-based data collection
• GPS-supported field operations
• Real-time monitoring and quality assurance
• Electronic data validation during interviews

Households will be selected scientifically from sampled Enumeration Blocks throughout Pakistan.

Field Team Composition

To ensure high-quality data collection and respondent comfort, each field team will comprise:

• One Male Supervisor
• One Male Enumerator
• Three Female Enumerator

Survey Status

Questionnaire finalized following technical consultations and stakeholder review. Preparatory activities for field implementation are underway.