More than half of Pakistan’s population lacks access to the internet, according to a report released by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) on Tuesday.
The inaugural Digital Development Index (DDI) report, part of the National Human Development Report 2024 led by Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, reveals that districts excelling in digital transformation also show higher levels of human development.
Collaboratively prepared with the UNDP, the report categorizes Pakistan as having ‘moderate’ digital development, emphasizing a gender gap with many women lacking access, as indicated by 83.5% reporting their phone ownership being determined by spouses or parents.
The report highlights significant inequalities, with digital development in Pakistan’s wealthiest quintile being 15 times greater than in the poorest, underscoring wealth as a major determinant.
Leading in ‘very high’ digital development are Islamabad, followed by Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Haripur, and Abbottabad in the ‘high’ category, demonstrating a strong correlation with improved human development outcomes.
Despite low rankings on the Human Development Index (164 out of 193 countries) and the Gender Inequality Index (135 out of 166), the report identifies digital divides as worsening poor development outcomes.
Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, highlights the underrepresentation of women and marginalized groups online, emphasizing the need for targeted digital transformation efforts. This is particularly important for Pakistan’s growing middle class, projected to contribute significantly to global middle-class growth, estimated at 25 million by 2030.
