Economic Survey highlights lower life expectancy and higher maternal and infant mortality in Pakistan compared with the South Asian regional average.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan continues to trail the South Asian regional average on several key health indicators, including life expectancy, maternal mortality and infant mortality, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26.
Drawing on data from the World Development Indicators (WDI), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2024-25, the survey compares Pakistan’s health outcomes with those of the wider South Asian region and highlights the need for sustained investment in healthcare.
Life expectancy remains below regional average
According to the survey, life expectancy at birth in Pakistan stands at 67.8 years, compared with the South Asian average of 72.6 years.
The gap of nearly five years underscores the country’s continuing challenges in improving healthcare access, disease prevention and overall public health outcomes.
Maternal mortality remains elevated
Pakistan also recorded a significantly higher maternal mortality ratio than the regional average.
| Indicator | South Asia | Pakistan |
| Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births) | 120 | 155 |
The survey notes that the South Asian figure for 2023 is based on modelled estimates published in the World Development Indicators.
Birth and infant mortality rates remain high
Pakistan’s crude birth rate and infant mortality rate both exceed regional averages by a considerable margin.
| Indicator | South Asia | Pakistan |
| Birth rate (per 1,000 population) | 16.4 | 27.4 |
| Infant mortality (per 1,000 live births) | 23.2 | 47.0 |
The infant mortality rate of 47 deaths per 1,000 live births is more than double the South Asian average of 23.2, highlighting persistent challenges in maternal and child healthcare.
HIV prevalence broadly matches regional average
One area where Pakistan remains broadly aligned with regional trends is HIV prevalence among people aged 15 to 49 years.
| Indicator | South Asia | Pakistan |
| HIV prevalence (% of population aged 15–49) | 0.19% | 0.20% |
Pakistan’s HIV prevalence of 0.20% is only marginally higher than the regional average of 0.19%.
Need for improved healthcare outcomes
The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26 concludes that although progress has been made in certain areas, Pakistan continues to face substantial health challenges compared with its South Asian neighbours.
Lower life expectancy, together with higher maternal and infant mortality rates, points to the need for continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, maternal and child health services, preventive healthcare programmes and broader public health initiatives.
The comparative assessment is based on data from the World Development Indicators (WDI), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2024-25, as presented in the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2025-26.