India has overtaken Pakistan in the latest Human Development Index (HDI) rankings released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for 2025, reflecting a growing disparity in socio-economic development between the two South Asian neighbours.
According to the latest United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report 2023/24, India has moved well ahead of Pakistan in the Human Development Index (HDI), reflecting sustained improvements in income, health, and education.
This report ranks India at 130 out of 193 countries with an HDI score of 0.685, categorizing it in the "medium human development" tier. In contrast, Pakistan has slipped to the 168th position, with an HDI score of 0.544, placing it among countries with "low human development."
India’s ranking has moved up four notches from 134 in 2022 to 130 in 2023. Between 1990 and 2023, India's HDI value changed from 0.446 to 0.685, a change of 53.6%. India’s HDI score is approximately 19% higher than Pakistan’s. Moreover, India’s per capita income (in PPP terms) is over 57% higher than that of Pakistan, underscoring broader economic disparity.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Nepal’s HDI value for 2023 is 0.622, putting it at 145th spot in the list. Sri Lanka is positioned at 89th in the list. Iceland is at the top of the list with a rating of 0.972.
India’s Path of Steady Progress
India’s HDI has been on a consistent upward trend. After setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest figures indicate a recovery, with India firmly consolidating its position in the “medium human development” category. Notably, the country has seen considerable gains in school enrolment, digital infrastructure, and poverty alleviation programmes.
According to the UNDP, India is one of the few countries that have made rapid progress in reducing multidimensional poverty, having lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty over the past decade. Government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat (health insurance), PM-KISAN (rural income support), and Jal Jeevan Mission (water access) have been credited for improving health and quality of life indicators.
India’s performance also reflects better institutional stability and public health delivery compared to many of its regional peers.
Pakistan’s Decline: Economic Turmoil and Educational Setbacks
Pakistan, meanwhile, continues to struggle with a cocktail of crises. Its HDI has remained stagnant in recent years, dragged down by frequent economic emergencies, political instability, and deteriorating social infrastructure. Despite being the world’s fifth-most populous nation, Pakistan is still stuck in the “low development” tier, with little progress on literacy, healthcare access, or income growth.
The report flags Pakistan’s poor educational outcomes as a key area of concern. With expected years of schooling at just 8.2 years and mean years at 4.59, the country significantly lags behind even South Asian averages. Health outcomes, too, remain grim, with limited access to quality care and malnutrition persisting across rural belts.
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