A new Pakistani government survey indicates households are spending approximately two-thirds of their income on essential survival needs like food and housing, leaving minimal funds for education, health, or recreation. The Household Integrated Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights that food constitutes 37% and housing/utilities 26% of expenditure. Spending on education has fallen to 2.5%, with combined spending on education, health, and recreation at only 7%. This situation is exacerbated by rising inflation and utility costs, leading to increased reliance on foreign remittances and informal assistance.