Life Expectancy and Pakistan – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1173

Life Expectancy and Pakistan – Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1173

Dear Colleagues! This is Asrar Qureshi’s Blog Post #1173 for Pharma Veterans. Pharma    Veterans Blogs are published by Asrar Qureshi on its dedicated site https://pharmaveterans.com. Please email to pharmaveterans2017@gmail.com  for publishing your contributions here.

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Preamble

Life expectancy has long been one of the most fundamental indicators of a nation’s overall health, development, and well-being. While some countries have seen steady increases in life expectancy due to better healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions, others continue to lag behind due to persistent social, economic, and systemic challenges.

For Pakistan, the story is mixed. The country has made progress over the last few decades, but it still faces major gaps when compared with regional and global benchmarks. Understanding these gaps and the factors behind them is essential if Pakistan hopes to create a healthier and more productive population by 2040.

Pakistan’s Life Expectancy in Global Context

According to the latest data, global life expectancy averages around 73 years, but this figure hides striking inequalities. In countries such as Japan, Switzerland, and Singapore, people can expect to live well into their 80s, while in lower-income countries, particularly in parts of Africa and South Asia, life expectancy can drop below 65 years.

In Pakistan, the average life expectancy is currently around 67 years, according to the World Bank and World Health Organization estimates. This figure is significantly lower than neighboring countries like Sri Lanka (77 years), Bangladesh (73 years), and India (70 years).

While Pakistan has improved since the 1980s, when average life expectancy hovered around 55 years, progress has been uneven and slower compared to peer nations.

Why Is Pakistan Lagging Behind?

Several structural and behavioral factors continue to pull Pakistan’s life expectancy below global averages. These include health system weaknesses, socioeconomic inequities, and a growing burden of both communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

Dual Disease Burden

Pakistan faces a dual challenge: infectious diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis, dengue, and water-borne infections remain prevalent, while lifestyle-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers, are rising sharply.

This combination creates a “double pressure” on the healthcare system, which struggles to manage both acute infections and chronic care simultaneously.

Weak Primary Healthcare Infrastructure

Primary healthcare, the first level of care that can prevent disease escalation, remains underdeveloped in Pakistan. Many Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs) lack trained staff, modern diagnostics, or medicines. As a result, people either avoid seeking care or delay treatment until diseases progress, leading to preventable deaths.

Maternal and Child Health Challenges

Pakistan’s maternal mortality rate remains among the highest in Asia, and infant mortality continues to be a concern. Poor nutrition, lack of antenatal care, and low immunization coverage contribute significantly. For instance, while neighboring Bangladesh has achieved over 95% immunization coverage, Pakistan still struggles to cross 80% in many regions.

Malnutrition and Food Insecurity

According to UNICEF, around 40% of Pakistani children under five are stunted, and about 17% are wasted, reflecting chronic malnutrition. Adults, too, face nutritional imbalances, undernutrition among the poor and obesity among the urban middle class. Both extremes contribute to early morbidity and mortality.

Socioeconomic Inequality

Health outcomes are tightly linked to income, education, and gender equality. Rural populations and women, particularly in low-income households, experience far lower access to healthcare and education. As a result, life expectancy in urban centers like Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi may exceed 70 years, while in remote districts of Balochistan or Sindh, it can drop below 60.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Air pollution, unsafe water, and lack of sanitation all shorten lives. According to a 2023 WHO report, air pollution alone reduces life expectancy in Pakistan by an average of 2.7 years. Additionally, rising tobacco use, sedentary lifestyles, and mental stress contribute to the growing burden of preventable diseases.

Lessons from Longer-Living Nations

Countries with the highest life expectancy share common policy characteristics:

• Universal access to healthcare with strong primary care networks.

• High public investment in health and education.

• Effective disease prevention programs focusing on lifestyle and nutrition.

• Clean environments and urban planning conducive to healthy living.

• Social safety nets that protect the elderly and vulnerable populations.

Japan’s emphasis on preventive healthcare, Cuba’s community-based model, and Singapore’s health literacy campaigns all show that longevity is not just about wealth, it’s about systems, awareness, and consistent investment.

The Road Ahead for Pakistan

If Pakistan aims to raise its life expectancy to 75 years by 2040, a realistic but ambitious target, several coordinated actions are needed across the health, education, environment, and social sectors.

Strengthen Primary Healthcare

The focus must shift from hospital-based tertiary care to community-level prevention and management. BHUs should be revitalized with digital tools, telemedicine, and mobile health units. Community health workers (especially Lady Health Workers) should be empowered with AI-assisted diagnostic tools and continuous training.

Prioritize Noncommunicable Disease Control

NCDs now account for nearly 60% of all deaths in Pakistan. A national NCD control program, with mandatory screening for hypertension, diabetes, and cancers, should be scaled up through both public and private health systems.

Improve Maternal and Child Health

Pakistan must commit to universal immunization, nutrition support for mothers, and safe childbirth facilities. Initiatives like Sehat Sahulat Program could have been leveraged to expand maternal care coverage.

Address Nutrition Holistically

The government and private sector should jointly promote fortified foods, school-based nutrition programs, and public education on balanced diets. Combatting both undernutrition and obesity must become a national health priority.

Tackle Environmental Determinants

Clean water, sanitation, and pollution control have as much impact on life expectancy as hospitals do. A coordinated environmental health strategy — combining clean air initiatives, plastic reduction, and renewable energy — can prevent millions of premature deaths.

Invest in Health Education

Health literacy must become a national agenda. School curricula should include preventive health education, hygiene, and mental well-being. Media campaigns can help change attitudes toward preventive checkups and healthy living.

Strengthen Data and Policy Integration

Accurate health data is essential for smart policymaking. Pakistan should invest in a National Health Data System to track regional disparities, monitor diseases, and measure impact over time.

Private Sector and Community Role

The pharmaceutical industry, NGOs, and academic institutions can also play a transformative role. Public-private partnerships can enhance disease surveillance, vaccination drives, and awareness campaigns. Digital health startups, increasingly active in Pakistan, can use mobile technology to reach underserved populations with preventive care reminders and teleconsultations.

Sum Up

Life expectancy is more than a number; it reflects a nation’s priorities and compassion. For Pakistan, improving longevity is not just a health challenge; it is an economic and social imperative. A healthier population means higher productivity, better education outcomes, and reduced healthcare costs in the long run.

With consistent investment in preventive healthcare, education, and environmental reform, Pakistan can rewrite its demographic future. The goal should not just be to add years to life, but to add life to years.

Concluded.

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