KARACHI – The State Bank of Pakistan’s latest data paints a stark picture of financial inequality in the country: over 70% of all bank accounts nationwide contain less than Rs50,000. That means a vast majority of citizens have minimal financial buffers, reflecting low income levels and limited capacity to save.
At the other end of the spectrum, only a small 3% of bank accounts hold deposits above Rs1 million, revealing how concentrated financial wealth remains in the hands of a select few.
However, the report also shows that banking habits in Pakistan are evolving. Digital transactions now dominate, with 89% of retail banking activity taking place through mobile apps and other online channels. This signals a dramatic change in how people are choosing to manage their finances.
In the third quarter of FY2025, Pakistan’s instant payment gateway saw 371 million transactions worth Rs8.5 trillion—an impressive volume driven by increasing trust in digital tools. The RTGS system, which handles large-value payments between institutions, processed Rs347 trillion during the same period, demonstrating the scale and efficiency of digital finance in the country.
While digital growth is encouraging, the numbers also highlight the urgent need for broader financial inclusion and targeted policy efforts to close the wealth gap.