Islamabad, June 9, 2025: Pakistan’s health sector spending remains alarmingly low, with the Economic Survey revealing that the share of health expenditure in the national GDP is less than 1%. For the current fiscal year, the total health budget stood at Rs. 925 billion.
Shockingly, the survey indicates that only $1 is available for every 750,000 people in the country. Despite this, some progress has been made in the medical workforce. Over the past year, the number of doctors increased by more than 20,000, bringing the total to 319,000 registered doctors nationwide. The number of dentists has also reached 39,088.
The nursing sector has grown as well, with 138,000 nurses, 46,801 midwives, and 29,000 lady health workers now serving in various regions.
In terms of infrastructure, Pakistan currently has 1,696 hospitals and 5,434 Basic Health Units (BHUs) spread across the country.
However, challenges persist. The infant mortality rate remains high, with 50 deaths per 1,000 live births annually, and the average life expectancy is just 67.6 years, as per the report.
The survey underscores the urgent need for increased investment and reforms in the healthcare system to improve the well-being of the population.
