Research and development (R&D), health, and education are three areas that are crucial to promoting sustainable growth. It is regrettable that Pakistan falls behind of its neighbors in the region, especially when it comes to providing services in each of these areas.

It is well known that education promotes the growth of human capital, enhancing skill sets and labor caliber. China devotes about 4.0 percent of its GDP to education, whereas India's 2024 budget allotted about 2.9% of its GDP to education. On the other hand, Bangladesh devotes approximately 1.8% of its GDP to education, while Pakistan devotes approximately 1.7%.

Surprisingly, compared to its regional competitors, Pakistan is recognized for having a more extensive and active private education sector. However, because of the exorbitant costs, a sizable section of the population in Pakistan frequently cannot afford private schools. India has a substantial private school market as well, although there is greater variation in terms of cost and availability.

In addition, the standard of instruction offered in public schools is insufficient. Because the private school system is so well established, graduates of private schools typically fill the majority of high-paying positions in both the public and private sectors, which furthers class discrimination. Ensuring high-quality education in public sector institutions is the only way to solve the problem.

It will take ten years for disadvantaged youngsters to catch up to those attending private-sector schools if reforms are not started now. A healthy workforce is essential for lowering absenteeism, increasing life expectancy, and ensuring productivity. The well-being of human resources is essential for advancement in every field.

China is well ahead in this area when comparing health spending in China, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh; in fact, its total health budget exceeds the sum of the budgets for Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan put together.

Approximately 2.1% of India's GDP is spent on health care, compared to 1.2% in Pakistan. China, in comparison, devotes roughly 5.5% of its GDP to health. Pakistan performs the poorest on all metrics when it comes to health outcomes. Its infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) is 55, while Bangladesh's and India's are 24 and 27, respectively.

Related Article: Formal Learning, Informal Learning and Non-formal Learning : What to Choose?

Research and development (R&D) boosts competitiveness, productivity, and innovation. China spends about 2.4% of its GDP on research and development, which is significantly more than India does (about 0.7%). Space, agriculture, and technology are among the main areas of focus. Compared to Bangladesh, which devotes about 0.4% of its GDP to R&D, Pakistan spends about 0.25 percent.

About 1,000 PhDs are produced annually in Bangladesh, predominantly in the humanities and social sciences, compared to about 25,000 in India, mostly in science and engineering. About 2,500 PhDs in the natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences are produced in Pakistan each year.