Despite India’s advantage on several headline macroeconomic indicators, including GDP per capita, Pakistani households are more likely to own labour-saving appliances, according to a new analysis released by Gallup Pakistan. The findings challenge conventional assumptions that higher national income levels automatically translate into better household living standards, instead pointing to the importance of consumption choices, pricing structures, and social priorities.
The “Big Data Analysis” report, published by Gallup Pakistan on January 23, examines household ownership patterns across Pakistan and India and highlights notable divergences in how families in the two neighbouring countries allocate their resources. The most striking difference appears in the adoption of appliances designed to reduce domestic labour. According to the data, 57.6% of Pakistani households own a washing machine, compared to just 20% in India. This nearly threefold gap suggests that Pakistani families place a stronger emphasis on technologies that ease everyday household work, even amid economic pressures.
A similar pattern is visible in food preservation. Refrigerator ownership in Pakistan stands at 56.2%, slightly higher than India’s 50.2%. Analysts cited in the report suggest that these figures reflect a deliberate prioritisation of long-term domestic assets that improve day-to-day quality of life, rather than discretionary or entertainment-focused spending. In a context of rising costs and income constraints, Pakistani households appear to be investing in appliances that deliver sustained practical benefits.
India, however, continues to maintain an edge in entertainment-related ownership. The report notes that 66% of Indian households own a television, compared to 50.2% in Pakistan. That said, the gap has narrowed steadily since 2019, indicating that Pakistani households are gradually catching up in this category as well. The trend points to a phased expansion of household consumption, where essential and labour-saving items are adopted first, followed by entertainment technologies as purchasing capacity allows.
In transportation, the two countries display broadly similar patterns. Motorcycle ownership is nearly identical, with 53.4% of households in Pakistan and 55% in India owning a motorbike. This reflects the shared regional reliance on two-wheelers as an affordable and efficient mode of daily transport. Car ownership remains limited in both markets, with India holding a marginal lead at 8% compared to Pakistan’s 6.4%. These figures underline structural constraints such as income levels, urban infrastructure, and vehicle costs that affect private car adoption across South Asia.
The Gallup analysis underscores a broader insight: GDP per capita does not provide a complete or always accurate picture of household welfare. While India’s economy is larger and its average income higher, the way income is converted into living standards varies significantly. Relative prices, access to utilities, household structures, and cultural preferences all influence consumption decisions and outcomes.
According to the report, Pakistani households’ stronger uptake of labour-saving appliances points to a resilient middle-class aspiration focused on improving domestic efficiency and quality of life. This pattern persists despite Pakistan’s macroeconomic volatility and fiscal challenges. By contrast, India’s consumption profile reflects different trade-offs, with stronger penetration in entertainment but lower adoption of certain household technologies.
Ultimately, the findings suggest that living standards are shaped as much by choice and context as by income. For policymakers, the data offers important lessons on how affordability, energy access, and consumer financing can influence household welfare. For economists, it reinforces the need to look beyond aggregate indicators when assessing well-being. The Gallup report concludes that Pakistan’s household consumption trends offer valuable insights into how families navigate economic constraints while still investing in technologies that ease daily life.
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