A recent report by the State Bank of Pakistan has revealed a telling snapshot of the country’s financial landscape: 71% of all bank accounts in Pakistan hold less than Rs. 50,000. This highlights a major challenge in the country’s savings culture and financial inclusion. The statistic points toward a population struggling with low income, limited savings capacity, and growing inflationary pressures. With rising costs of living and limited access to formal financial services in many areas, a vast majority of people are either barely managing to save or using their bank accounts primarily for transactions, not long-term savings.

The data also reflects broader economic concerns — such as wage stagnation, informal employment, and lack of trust in the banking system — that prevent people from saving more. While digital banking and fintech innovations have made account access easier, they have yet to significantly shift saving behaviors. For policymakers and banks, this underscores the urgent need to improve financial literacy, increase access to credit and investment tools, and encourage a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem.