Pakistan’s health expenditure continues to fall significantly short, accounting for less than one percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.
A key finding of the survey is the concerning doctor-to-patient ratio, with only one doctor available for every 750,000 individuals.Â
However, the survey points to a positive trend, noting that the number of doctors in the country has increased by over 20,000 in the past year, bringing the total number of registered doctors to 319,000.
The survey shows that the total allocation for health in the current fiscal year stands at Rs925 billion, signaling persistent underinvestment in the sector despite increasing demands due to the growing population.
In addition, the survey reports a rise in the number of other healthcare professionals, including 39,088 dentists, 138,000 nurses, 46,801 midwives, and 29,000 lady health workers, all contributing to the healthcare workforce.
The healthcare infrastructure includes 1,696 hospitals and 5,434 Basic Health Units (BHUs) across the country, though the report stresses that child mortality remains a significant challenge, with 50 out of every 1,000 infants dying annually.Â
On a positive note, the survey highlights an improvement in life expectancy, which has risen to 67 years and six months.
