Research and Development Solutions (RADS) has launched a new, simplified model to more accurately measure the Human Development Index (HDI) in Pakistan.
According to experts, the model was developed using 41 years of international data from various countries. The research primarily focused on calculating life expectancy and then aligned data from the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement (PSLM) survey with global benchmarks. Where gaps existed, new indicators were introduced to ensure reliability.
Previously, Pakistan’s HDI health component was largely estimated through demographic surveys based only on child mortality rates. However, due to the irregular nature of such surveys, consistent data were often unavailable.
The RADS team has now used PSLM data to calculate life expectancy for each district, a method considered more sustainable and dependable because the data is collected regularly. These results were also cross-checked against global datasets to ensure accuracy and credibility.
Experts believe this approach offers a reliable, long-term solution for assessing health indicators in Pakistan. The model will assist the government and relevant institutions in developing stronger policies, ultimately enabling more effective decision-making to achieve human development goals.
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