Indians Live Longer Than Pakistanis on Average, PM's Economic Advisory Council Member Flags

India's lead in key development indicators over Pakistan is widening, with Indians now living an average of five years longer than their neighbors, according to a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council. This disparity in life expectancy highlights broader differences in the quality of life and economic progress between the two nations.

The average life expectancy at birth in India is approximately 72.5 years, while in Pakistan, it hovers around 67.9 years. This places India at 118th out of 197 countries in terms of life expectancy, while Pakistan ranks 150th. The breakdown by gender further reveals that in India, life expectancy is about 71 years for males and 74.1 years for females, whereas in Pakistan, it is 65.6 years for males and 70.5 years for females.

Several factors contribute to this divergence. India has made strides in improving healthcare access, sanitation, and nutrition, leading to better health outcomes for its citizens. Conversely, Pakistan continues to grapple with challenges in these areas, impacting the overall well-being and longevity of its population.

The Human Development Index (HDI), which considers life expectancy, education, and income, reflects this growing gap. India's HDI in 2023 was 0.685, ranking it 130th out of 193 countries, while Pakistan's HDI was 0.544, placing it at 168th. This indicates that while India is approaching the "high human development" category, Pakistan remains in the lower range.

Moreover, economic disparities play a significant role. India's gross national income per person is $9,047, considerably higher than Pakistan's $5,501. Pakistan's economy is roughly half the size of India's and burdened with debt. This economic strain can limit investments in crucial sectors like healthcare and education, further affecting the quality of life and life expectancy.

While India has made progress in reducing infant mortality, with the rate declining from 46.3 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 37.9 in 2015, Pakistan's figures remain higher at 73.5 in 2010 and 65.8 in 2015. Similarly, India performs better in terms of undernourishment, with 15.2% of the population undernourished in 2015, compared to 22% in Pakistan.

Despite these advancements, India still lags behind the global average life expectancy of 73.7 years. Challenges such as poverty, pollution, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure persist in certain regions. However, the country's overall trajectory indicates a commitment to improving the well-being of its citizens.