Pakistan has the largest population of Pathans (Pashtuns) in the world.
While it's challenging to get exact figures, census data and estimations indicate a significantly larger Pashtun population in Pakistan compared to Afghanistan and other countries. It's important to note that different data sources use varying methodologies, such as including only Pashto speakers or broader ethnic affiliations, which can impact population numbers.
Here's a breakdown based on available information:
- Pakistan: The 2023 census reported 43,633,946 Pashto speakers. This figure only includes those who declared Pashto as their mother tongue and might underestimate the total Pashtun population, as many Pashtuns may speak other languages as their primary language.
- Afghanistan: Estimations suggest around 15,000,000 Pashtuns, representing approximately 40-50% of the population. These are estimations due to the lack of recent comprehensive census data.
- India: Estimates indicate around 3,200,000 Pathans, primarily non-Pashto speaking. The 2011 census recorded only 21,677 Pashto speakers.
- Iran: Around 169,000 Pashtuns were estimated in 2022.
Therefore, based on available data, Pakistan has the highest concentration of Pathans worldwide.
