Fisheries is the main economic activity in Gwadar, followed by agriculture, livestock farming, and government and social services. About one quarter of the total national fish catch is produced from the coast of Gwadar district. A vast majority of the population is involved in fisheries. According to the 1981 census, the major economic activity in Gwadar district was "Agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing" followed by "Construction" and then by "Community, social, and personal services".

According to the land use statistics, only one sixth (16.4%) of the total geographical area of Gwadar is reported. The village area is known, but all other area is know as "being not reported". Only 3.4 percent of the total area is potentially available for cultivation and about 70 percent of this area is culturable waste. This situation indicates a high level of under-exploitation of the district resources. Most of the reported area is not available for cultivation. Time series data reveal that the area under cultivation has increased gradually except in 1995-96 for which data was obtained directly from the office of the Assistant Director, Agriculture Extension. There seems a discrepancy in the land use data provided by the Agricultural Statistics of Balochistan and those of the Assistant Director.

The district has forest on some area from where fuel wood is obtained. According to the Irrigation Department, pasture lands substantiate livestock farming. The district has a relatively high grazing capacity.

Gwadar district has about 600 kilometres long coastal line which provides great potential for fisheries.

Total geographical area is the area within the administrative boundaries (of the district).

Area reported is the area covered by village and/or district record. The difference between the geographical area and the area reported is the " area not reported " (yet).

Area not available for cultivation includes barren or mountainous land, area under roads, canals, sites of villages, houses, etc., or otherwise area put to uses alien to agriculture.

Area under forest is any land, which is covered by trees, permanent pastures, game sanctuaries and also those areas, which fall administratively under Revenue and Forest Departments.

Culturable waste is such area, which may be available for cultivation but has either not been cultivated or abandoned, is water logged or saline or left fallow for more than four years.

Arable land is land suitable for ploughing and crop production (or being ploughed), net sown or left fallow for less than four years.

Net potential area available for cultivation is both arable land and the culturable waste, as the latter one can be brought under cultivation by way of e.g. land levelling, irrigation, etc.

According to the land use statistics most of the reported area in Gwadar district is not available for agriculture and 83.6 percent of the area is not yet reported. The water available is saline, not suitable for irrigation. The agricultural activities depend upon rain water only. There is intense need to promote saline water crops like oil seeds. However a long coast line has great potential for fisheries but it needs to be developed. Average annual rainfall is less than 250 mm therefore aridity is prevalent in the area. The climate is generally temperate in the district.

Wind erosion being a major environmental threat needs afforestation as a protective measure. The Sand Dunes Stabilisation Project has been started in the district. Grey pollution also needs attention of public health planners which is causing severe health hazards.

Fuel wood and petroleum products are used as energy sources, as the electricity supply is not regular. Cross-border import has made the availability of petroleum products easy and affordable. The district has not been explored for minerals. At present salt is the only mineral being produced in Gwadar.

After an overview of the district resources it might be concluded that the district has potential for fisheries and agriculture. To develop this potential small scale loans may be provided to the fishermen and boat-makers and salt resistant crops may be introduced in the district.