ISLAMABAD: Pakistan faces growing challenges in ensuring access to healthcare, education, and social protection as governments across Asia continue to underfund essential public services, leaving households to bear substantial costs and widening inequality, according to a report by Oxfam, titled Rigged from Birth: How Inequality Steals Futures in Asia & Five Public Services.
The report found that Asian households pay nearly 38% of healthcare costs out of pocket, almost twice the average in countries belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
For Pakistan and other South Asian economies, the findings highlight the importance of public investment in healthcare, education, social protection, care services and digital connectivity to reduce inequality.
According to the report, Asian governments spend an average of 9.4% of gross domestic product (GDP) on social protection, less than half the global average of 19.3%. Public education spending averages 2.9% of GDP, below the international benchmark of 4–6%.
The report also found that social protection covers only 30% of the population in South Asia, compared with 86% in East Asia.
In the region’s most debt-distressed economies, governments spend between seven and 25 times more on debt servicing than on social protection.
Oxfam International Executive Director Amitabh Behar said public services were among the most effective tools governments have to reduce inequality.
