Pakistan Has 1,050 Registered Psychiatrists for 32 Million People Needing Mental Healthcare
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Ifrah Aqeel
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- Published October 31, 2026
More than 32 million people in Pakistan need mental healthcare, while the country has only 1,050 registered psychiatrists, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Health in the National Assembly. The data highlights a major shortage of mental health professionals.
The ministry reported that Pakistan has approximately one registered psychiatrist for every 245,400 people. The provincial breakdown showed 406 psychiatrists in Punjab, 228 in Sindh, 122 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 44 in Balochistan.
The four provincial figures account for 800 professionals. The reported breakdown does not explain the remaining 250 in the national total.
The ministry also reported around 300,000 people with mental health conditions in Islamabad as of 2023.
Pakistan’s mental health burden has also featured in the National Mental Health Policy 2026-2035, launched in October. The government estimates that 32.4 million people need mental healthcare while only around 5% can access these services
Ifrah Aqeel
Ifrah Aqeel is a news writer and editor covering entertainment, trending stories, and major national and international developments. She specializes in breaking down fast-moving news, viral trends, and current events into clear, engaging content. Backed by a disciplined editorial background, Ifrah brings a fast, factual, and research-driven approach to every story she covers.
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