Plastic waste exports in Pakistan
Pakistan: Plastic waste exports was 15,461 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Pakistan, 2003–2024
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, plastic waste exports in Pakistan stood at 15,461 tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 16.3% on the previous year and down 63.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Pakistan peaked at 46,966 tonnes in 2011 and was at its lowest, 964.29 tonnes, in 2003.
Pakistan ranks 39th of 167 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 964.29 tonnes | — |
| 2004 | 3,390 tonnes | +251.6% |
| 2005 | 4,630 tonnes | +36.5% |
| 2006 | 6,221 tonnes | +34.4% |
| 2007 | 21,566 tonnes | +246.7% |
| 2008 | 21,434 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 2009 | 27,405 tonnes | +27.9% |
| 2010 | 35,255 tonnes | +28.6% |
| 2011 | 46,966 tonnes | +33.2% |
| 2012 | 31,008 tonnes | -34.0% |
| 2013 | 44,504 tonnes | +43.5% |
| 2014 | 41,741 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 2015 | 30,207 tonnes | -27.6% |
| 2016 | 20,395 tonnes | -32.5% |
| 2017 | 40,242 tonnes | +97.3% |
| 2018 | 16,819 tonnes | -58.2% |
| 2019 | 7,151 tonnes | -57.5% |
| 2020 | 4,290 tonnes | -40.0% |
| 2021 | 4,135 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 2023 | 18,465 tonnes | +346.6% |
| 2024 | 15,461 tonnes | -16.3% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 15,461 tonnes is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1,451 tonnes, 10.7× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 15,461 tonnes is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 2,459 tonnes, 6.3× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Plastic waste exports in Pakistan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | +346.6% | 4,135 tonnes | 18,465 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 12,230 tonnes | 964.29 tonnes | 27,405 tonnes | 7 |
| 2010s | 31,429 tonnes | 7,151 tonnes | 46,966 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 10,588 tonnes | 4,135 tonnes | 18,465 tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More environment data for Pakistan
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -10.53 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.64 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.373 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.58 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual 0.7034 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 3.1 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Pakistan?
- Plastic waste exports in Pakistan was 15,461 tonnes in 2024, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 46,966 tonnes in 2011.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 964.29 tonnes in 2003.
- How does Pakistan rank for plastic waste exports?
- Pakistan ranks 39th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 63.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.