Pakistan: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Pakistan?

Life expectancy at birth in Pakistan was 67.8 years in 2024, up from 66.5 years in 2018, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26 health chapter. The World Bank gives the same figure for 2024 (67.8 years).

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if current death rates by age stayed the same. It is pulled down by deaths in infancy and early childhood, so it is not the age most adults reach. Women in Pakistan live longer on average than men. The survey compares Pakistan with a South Asian average of 72.6 years.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Health and Nutrition · World Bank: life expectancy, Pakistan

How many hospitals are there in Pakistan?

Pakistan had 1,934 hospitals in 2025 (provisional), along with 6,239 dispensaries, 5,746 basic health units and 802 rural health centres, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics figures in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26. Together these had 173,971 beds, or one bed for every 1,328 people.

The count covers public and private facilities reported to PBS. The 2025 figures repeat 2024 because they are provisional, and the jump from 1,284 hospitals in 2022 to 1,696 in 2023 partly reflects wider reporting. Basic health units and rural health centres provide primary care in rural areas, while hospitals provide inpatient care.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Health and Nutrition

How many doctors are there in Pakistan?

Pakistan had 336,582 registered doctors in 2025 (provisional), up 5.3% from 319,572 in 2024, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics figures in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26. There were also 42,118 registered dentists and 138,391 nurses.

These are cumulative registrations with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, not a count of doctors working in Pakistan today; doctors who have retired, died or moved abroad can remain on the totals. The nurse, midwife and lady health worker figures for 2025 repeat those for 2024. Registration is calendar-year based.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Health and Nutrition · Pakistan Medical and Dental Council

What is the infant mortality rate in Pakistan?

Pakistan's infant mortality rate was 47 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024-25, down from 60 in 2018-19, according to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics household survey as reported in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26. Neonatal mortality, deaths in the first 28 days, fell from 41 to 35 per 1,000.

Infant mortality counts deaths before a child's first birthday. Pakistan has no complete death registration, so the rate is estimated from household surveys that ask mothers about their children, and it has a margin of error. Full immunisation of children aged 12 to 23 months rose from 68% to 73% over the same period.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Health and Nutrition

What is the maternal mortality rate in Pakistan?

Pakistan's maternal mortality ratio was 186 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019, down from 276 in 2007, according to the Pakistan Maternal Mortality Survey figures in the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26. The survey's regional comparison table gives a 2023 international estimate of 155.

The ratio counts women who die from pregnancy or childbirth complications, during pregnancy or within 42 days after, for every 100,000 live births. Pakistan's national figure comes from a dedicated household survey run by the National Institute of Population Studies, which is why it is several years old; UN modelled estimates are updated more often and use a different method.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Health and Nutrition · National Institute of Population Studies

How much does Pakistan spend on health?

Federal and provincial governments in Pakistan spent Rs942.2 billion on health in fiscal year 2024-25, equal to 0.8% of GDP, against Rs924.9 billion the year before, according to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26. A further Rs19.4 billion was allocated to health projects in the 2025-26 federal development programme.

Health is mainly a provincial responsibility, so most public spending is in provincial budgets. The figure covers government spending only; households pay a large share of health costs directly, which public spending totals do not include. Spending in rupees also rises with inflation, so the share of GDP is the better comparison over time.

Official sources: Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26: Health and Nutrition

What is life expectancy in Pakistan?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Pakistan at 67.8 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 77.3 years, and Pakistan placed 20th highest of 22. Worldwide: 145th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Pakistan?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Pakistan was 48.2 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 2nd highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 11.2 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 14th of 192.

What is maternal mortality in Pakistan?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 155 per 100,000. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 18.5 per 100,000, and Pakistan placed 3rd highest of 22. Worldwide: 47th of 192.

What share of GDP does Pakistan spend on health care?

In 2023, current health spending in Pakistan was 2.5% of GDP, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 3.0% of GDP; its low point was 2012, at 2.2% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 5.6% of GDP; Pakistan is 21st highest of 22. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 186th highest.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Pakistan?

According to the WHO, out-of-pocket health spending in Pakistan was 52.9% in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 47.4% (2022) to 72.8% (2006). It is 6th highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 32.7%. Worldwide: 29th of 191.

How many doctors per person does Pakistan have?

1.2 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Pakistan for 2021, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.5 per 1,000; Pakistan is 8th highest of 11. World rank, highest first: 81st of 123.

How many hospital beds per person does Pakistan have?

0.63 per 1,000: that is hospital beds per 1,000 people in Pakistan for 2020, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 1.9 per 1,000, and Pakistan placed 15th highest of 16. Worldwide: 122nd of 131.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Pakistan?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Pakistan was 86.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 96.0%; Pakistan is 17th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 120th of 191.