Islamabad, Pakistan’s first-ever Digital Development Index (DDI) has found that districts with better digital transformation tend to have higher human development outcomes, As per the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The DDI, presented in the Pakistan National Human Development Report (NHDR) 2023/2024, evaluates digital development progress across Pakistan’s provinces and districts, placing the country in the ‘moderate’ digital development category with a cumulative DDI of 0.205.

According to United Nations Development Programme, the NHDR 2023/2024 titled “Doing Digital for Development: Access, Adopt, Anticipate, Accelerate,” launched in Islamabad, indicates a strong correlation between digital development and human development. The report assesses digital technologies’ access, usage, skills attainment, and transformative potential, illustrating how some districts demonstrate the highest transformative potential due to their high digital development.

The findings also highlight Pakistan’s low Human Development Index rank of 164 out of 193 countries and its Gender Inequality Index position of 135 out of 166 countries. Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, was the chief guest at the launch ceremony, where he underscored the government’s commitment to harnessing technological innovation for human development.

“By launching this Report, our ambition is to contribute to a future-oriented Pakistan where digital transformation becomes a hallmark of its inclusion, and a cornerstone for its prosperity,” said UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative, Dr. Samuel Rizk.

UNDP Assistant Secretary-General Kanni Wignaraja noted that 54.3 percent of Pakistan’s population lacks internet access due to inadequate digital infrastructure and affordability issues, while almost half of the country’s districts have low DDI rankings. She emphasized that Pakistan’s growing middle class presents a significant opportunity for targeted digital transformation efforts to improve productivity and human development outcomes.

The report suggests a policy framework of four As – Access, Adopt, Anticipate, Accelerate – as a pathway for Pakistan’s digital transformation. The framework seeks to address digital divides and promote equitable access to digital technology to improve livelihoods, accelerate financial inclusion, and deliver efficient public services.