Archive · 29 Oct 2025
Life Expectancy Gap Widens Between India and Pakistan, Highlighting Economic Disparities
Imagine two neighbors, India and Pakistan.
India's people are living about 5 years longer than Pakistan's people.
A few decades ago, they both lived about the same amount of time.
This difference isn't just about how long people live; it's also about their economies.
India's economy is much bigger than Pakistan's.
Pakistan is dealing with a lot of debt, meaning it owes a lot of money to others.
This debt makes its economy struggle and grow slowly.
Because of these issues, people in India are living longer and healthier lives compared to those in Pakistan.
Average life expectancy in India is now approximately 73 years, compared to 67 years in Pakistan.
Around 1994-95, the average life expectancy for both Indians and Pakistanis was around 60 years.
Professor Shamika Ravi noted the gap reflects differences in both economic status and quality of life.
Pakistan's public debt reached approximately USD 286.8 billion (PKR 80.6 trillion) by June 2025, with a debt-to-GDP ratio around 70%.
Pakistan's economic challenges are linked to subdued growth, influenced by lower inflation affecting nominal GDP expansion.
- Who
- Professor Shamika Ravi, a member of the Economic Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister
- What
- Highlighted the widening gap in life expectancy and economic disparity between India and Pakistan.
- When
- Data presented relates to figures around June 2025, with historical comparisons to 1994-95.
- Where
- India and Pakistan
- Why
- The disparity in life expectancy is linked to fundamental quality of life differences, while Pakistan's economic challenges are attributed to a significant public debt burden and subdued economic growth.
- Average Indian Life Expectancy
- 73 years
- Average Pakistani Life Expectancy
- 67 years
- Life Expectancy Crossover (1994-95)
- Around 60 years for both
- Pakistan's Public Debt (June 2025)
- USD 286.832 billion (PKR 80.6 trillion)
- Pakistan Debt-to-GDP Ratio (June 2025)
- Around 70%
- Pakistan Domestic Debt (June 2025)
- PKR 54.5 trillion
- Pakistan External Debt (June 2025)
- USD 91.8 billion