Housing crisis deepens as 63% lack shelter

Pakistan is facing a severe housing crisis marked by a stark urban-rural divide in living conditions, homeownership, and access to basic amenities. While 52% of urban households own resilient homes, only 39% of rural households do, with 63% of rural homes built from low-durability materials vulnerable to extreme weather and recent floods. This disparity leads to acute insecurity for rural renters, increased financial and emotional stress, and frequent rebuilding efforts. Overcrowding is also more prevalent in rural areas (22%) compared to urban settings (15%), impacting physical and mental health. Furthermore, essential services are severely unequal, with only 50% of rural homes having clean drinking water and 35% lacking electricity, significantly hindering overall quality of life and economic activity for millions of families across the country.