Review of Pakistan's Human Development.

• Author: Kazmi, S. Kamal Haider

Byline: S. KAMAL HAYDER KAZMI

Pakistan has gone down by seven slots in the Human Development Index (HDI) ranking for 2021-2022, as per the last UN Human Development Report. Pakistan's HDI in 202 had already declined by two notches, placing it in the low human development category, because of its inadequate health, income and education indicators. Pakistan presently ranks 161 out of 192 states. The report also identified that over 66 years life expectancy at birth our country is a little. The average Pakistan receives only 8 years of schooling, and the gross per capita national income is just over $4,600.

Statistics also showed that Pakistan since the early 1990s, has made steady progress in terms of enhancing its HDI. In part, the steep fall in Pakistan's HDI ranking in 2021-22 is because of methodological causes. In 2020, the UNDP ranked 189 countries, whereas in 2021-22, 192 countries and territories were included in the index. However, a bigger cause for Pakistan's lowered HDI ranking is because of its relatively modest progress compared to other countries. Pakistan is now trailing far behind other regional states in human development. The report also showed that presently India ranks 132nd on the HDI index. Bangladesh is doing even better with a 129th ranking. Sri Lanka was placed 73rd on the HDI index because of years of impressive human development, although its position will probably be seriously impacted in next year's ranking because of the ongoing economic turmoil in the country.

Statistics also showed that Pakistan has the highest infant mortality rate in South Asia and the lowest life expectancy in the region, barring Afghanistan. Pakistan is facing a severe health crisis and yet its healthcare system is not being offered the resources it needs. Pakistani hospitals have only 6 hospital beds per 10,000 people. The doctor-to-patient ratio is also extremely low, with 1 doctor for every 1300 people.

The Government of Pakistan expenditure on education is also inadequate and incompetently utilized. Furthermore in the public sector teacher absenteeism and inadequate school infrastructure remains major issues. The quality of education provided through low-income private schools is also not much better. A present study through Aga Khan University tested student performance in grades 5, 6 and 8 in both private and public schools across the country. This study analyzed more than 90 percent students at the primary and secondary level to...