ISLAMABAD  -  Pakistan spent less than one per cent of its Gross Domestic Product on health and education during 2024 to 2025, the Economic Survey revealed the other day while highlighting persistent under funding even as the government announced new development schemes in the federal budget.

In the health sector, total public spending stood at Rs925 billion, with Punjab receiving the largest share of Rs551.8 billion. The doctor to population ratio remains critical, with one doctor for every 751 people, despite the registration of over 20,000 new doctors this year, taking the total to 319,000.

The report also recorded 39,088 dentists, 138,000 nurses, 46,801 midwives and 29,000 lady health workers. Despite those figures, health access in rural and underserved areas remains severely limited.

Pakistan currently has 1,696 hospitals and 5,434 basic health units nationwide. However, outcomes remain poor. Life expectancy is 67.6 years, nearly four years below the South Asian average of 71.6. The infant mortality rate stands at 50.1 deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to the regional average of 30.2.

To address the crisis, the federal budget for 2025 to 2026 allocates Rs14.3 billion for 21 health related projects under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP). The focus includes disease prevention, infrastructure, and expanding access to treatment.

Among major projects is the Prime Minister’s National Programme for Elimination of Hepatitis C, with a three year budget of Rs67.77 billion to screen half the eligible population and provide free antiviral treatment. A separate Rs6.8 billion programme aims to prevent and control diabetes among 33 million adults over five years.

Meanwhile, Rs4 billion has been set aside for the expansion of the Jinnah Medical Complex in Islamabad, while Rs1 billion will go towards free screening and treatment facilities across the country. Another Rs800 million has been earmarked for the prevention of non communicable diseases.

The government will also spend Rs1.7 billion to establish a new medical facility in Islamabad, and Rs900 million each on emergency upgrades at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and procurement of essential medical equipment.

Despite these allocations, the budget does not address mental health, and no specific schemes or funding have been proposed.

In the education sector, the country spent just 0.8 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, even as the national literacy rate stood at 60.6 per cent. The gender gap remains stark, with male literacy at 68 per cent and female literacy trailing at 52.8 per cent.

To tackle these gaps, the federal government has allocated Rs9.8 billion for 11 new Danish schools in underdeveloped regions, including three in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, four in Balochistan, three in Gilgit Baltistan and one in Islamabad.

Moreover, Rs18.5 billion has been earmarked for the Early Childhood Education Centres programme, which aims to improve teaching quality and reduce dropout rates. Of this, Rs3 billion will go towards rebuilding 1,800 schools damaged by floods in Sindh.

Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rs4.3 billion has been allocated to train 161,500 youth, including 56,000 in information and communication technology, 64,000 in modern trades, and 49,000 in traditional skills. The plan also includes 2,500 trainees from the former tribal areas and the setup of information technology centres in urban Sindh to support freelance employment.

In comparison to the rising demands of a growing population, the budgetary commitment to both education and health remains minimal. Experts warn that sustained investment in human capital is essential if Pakistan is to meet its long term development goals.