Human Development Index: Pakistan ranks low, India shows improvement

Despite modest gains in development indicators, Pakistan continues to grapple with deeply entrenched poverty and rising inequality, according to the United Nations Development Program's Human Development Report 2025.

The report highlights that Pakistan's Human Development Index (HDI) value stands at 0.540, placing the country in the low human development category. This ranking positions Pakistan at 164 out of 193 countries and territories, reflecting stagnation in key areas such as health, education, and income over recent years .

According to the report, 38.3% of Pakistan’s population lives in multidimensional poverty, with deprivation most pronounced in rural regions and among women and children.

The country exhibits high levels of income and wealth concentration, with the top 10% of earners accounting for a disproportionate share of national income, while the bottom 40% remain trapped in cycles of poverty. This inequality extends beyond income to include disparities in access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

India

India improved its HDI value from 0.633 in 2021 to 0.644 in 2022, ranking 134 out of 193 countries. Despite progress, it still falls under the medium human development category. The country's gender inequality index remains a concern, though its life expectancy, mean years of schooling, and gross national income per capita continue to show modest gains .

Bangladesh

Bangladesh registered a slight increase in HDI from 0.661 in 2021 to 0.670 in 2022, placing it at 129 globally. The country made improvements in education and health, with steady gains in life expectancy and school enrolment. However, like India, it grapples with significant gender disparities and income inequality, limiting its human development momentum .