This single Indian state almost equals Pakistan's $373-billion economy

Currently, Pakistan's GDP represents only 69% of Maharashtra'

Pakistan, despite obtaining its second installment of IMF Payout of Rs $1.02 billion under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), trails behind Indian states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Data suggest that Tamil Nadu's Gross State Domestic Product (GDSP) is now nearly equal to Pakistan's national GDP which stands at $373.08 billion only growing by 2.6%, as per data from the IMF.

This is the 25th time IMF bailed out Pakistan since 1958. The country got backing of the fund at a critical time last year when it was on the verge of bankruptcy and was saved by the lender by providing $3 billion on a short term basis.

In 2004-05, Pakistan's economy was valued at $132 billion, according to data from the Reserve Bank of India and the World Bank. At that time, Tamil Nadu's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) was only $48 billion, which was about 37% of Pakistan's GDP. Maharashtra, India's most industrialized state, had a GDP of $92 billion, roughly 69% of Pakistan's size.

By 2023-24, the dynamics have significantly changed. Pakistan’s economy is now estimated at $338 billion. Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has grown impressively, with its GSDP reaching $329 billion, making it virtually on par with Pakistan. Maharashtra, on the other hand, has expanded even further to $490 billion.

Currently, Pakistan's GDP represents only 69% of Maharashtra's, a drastic decline from being nearly 1.5 times larger two decades ago. Tamil Nadu, once perceived as economically lagging, is now firmly competing with Pakistan in terms of overall economic size.