Pakistan lags behind most South Asian countries in education indicators, with low expected and mean years of schooling contributing to its HDI ranking.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan ranked 168th in the Human Development Index (HDI) 2025, remaining among the lowest-performing countries in South Asia in terms of education and overall human development, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26.
The survey, citing the latest Human Development Report 2025, highlighted that Pakistan continues to trail most regional peers in key education indicators, including expected years of schooling and mean years of schooling. The findings underscore the country’s ongoing challenges in improving educational access, learning outcomes and human capital development.
Pakistan trails regional peers
According to the survey, children in Pakistan are expected to receive 7.9 years of schooling, the second-lowest figure in South Asia after Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the country’s mean years of schooling—the average number of years of education completed by adults aged 25 years and above—stands at 4.3 years, reflecting persistent shortcomings in educational attainment.
These indicators contributed significantly to Pakistan’s 168th position in the global Human Development Index, placing it well behind neighbouring countries.
Iran leads South Asia in HDI ranking
Among the countries included in the survey, Iran achieved the highest regional ranking, securing 77th place globally. The country recorded 14.0 expected years of schooling and 10.8 mean years of schooling, highlighting the strong role of education in its human development performance.
Sri Lanka ranked 88th, with 13.1 expected years and 10.8 mean years of schooling, while the Maldives placed 91st, supported by 12.8 expected years and 7.4 mean years of schooling.
Regional comparison highlights Pakistan’s challenges
The survey shows that several South Asian countries outperformed Pakistan across both education and overall human development indicators.
HDI rankings and education indicators:
| Country | Expected Years of Schooling | Mean Years of Schooling | HDI Rank |
| Iran | 14.0 | 10.8 | 77 |
| Sri Lanka | 13.1 | 10.8 | 88 |
| Maldives | 12.8 | 7.4 | 91 |
| Bhutan | 13.2 | 5.8 | 126 |
| Bangladesh | 12.3 | 6.8 | 131 |
| India | 13.0 | 6.9 | 133 |
| Nepal | 13.8 | 4.5 | 150 |
| Pakistan | 7.9 | 4.3 | 168 |
| Afghanistan | 10.8 | 2.5 | 180 |
The data illustrates Pakistan’s considerable gap with regional counterparts, particularly in educational attainment, which remains one of the key components used to calculate the Human Development Index.
Education remains central to human development
The Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26 emphasised that strengthening the education sector will be essential for improving Pakistan’s human development outcomes. Greater investment in school enrolment, retention, quality of education and skills development is expected to enhance productivity, strengthen the labour force and support sustainable economic growth.
The survey noted that improving educational attainment will remain critical if Pakistan is to narrow the gap with neighbouring countries and improve its standing in future Human Development Index rankings.