6 May 2025 – Islamabad: Artificial intelligence (AI) is racing ahead at lightning speed, yet human development is stalling. Decades of progress, reflected in the Human Development Index, have flatlined, with no clear recovery from the blows dealt by the Covid-19 and subsequent crises. While AI promises to redefine our future, it also risks deepening the divides of a world already off balance, says the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) entitled “A matter of choice: People and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence” released this week by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“For decades, we have been on track to reach a very high human development world by 2030, but this deceleration signals a very real threat to global progress,” said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator. “Amidst this global turmoil, we must urgently explore new ways to drive development. As Artificial Intelligence continues its rapid advance across so many aspects of our lives, we should consider its potential for development. New capabilities are emerging almost daily, and while AI is no panacea, the choices we make hold the potential to reignite human development and open new pathways and possibilities.”

The 2025 HDR places Pakistan in the ‘low’ human development category, with a Human Development Index (HDI) value of 0.544, resulting in a rank of 168 out of 193 countries. If adjusted for inequality, Pakistan’s HDI decreases by 33.1 percent to 0.364, while its Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) remains unchanged from 2023/2024 levels at 0.198. On the other hand, Pakistan has shown modest improvement in the Gender Inequality Index (value of 0.536 with a rank of 145 out of 172 countries), and the Gender Development Index (value of 0.838), bringing it closer to global trends.

“Despite its economic and social development challenges, Pakistan is emerging as a dynamic force in the technological space with great potential,” UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk shared while commenting on the report. “With its large population, growing digital infrastructure, vibrant tech talent and appetite, and a National AI Policy being formulated, the country has a real opportunity to use AI for inclusive and accelerated development.”

The HDR also features findings from a new global survey, revealing that people are realistic yet hopeful about the change AI can bring. While half of respondents believe their jobs could be automated, an even larger share—six in ten— expect AI to impact their employment positively, creating opportunities in jobs that may not even exist today. Only 13 percent of respondents fear AI can lead to job losses. In low- and medium-HDI countries, 70 percent of respondents anticipate that AI will boost their productivity, and two-thirds expect to use AI in education, healthcare, or work within the next year.

The HDR advocates for a human-centered approach to AI, which has the potential to fundamentally redesign approaches to development. It also outlines three critical areas for action: building an economy where people collaborate with AI rather than compete against it; embedding human agency across the full AI lifecycle, from design to deployment; and modernizing education and health systems to meet the demands of the 21st century.

To view the full report, visit https://hdr.undp.org/content/human-development-report-2025

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Media contacts
•    For more information about the release, please contact the HDRO Communications Specialist Stanislav Saling: stanislav.saling@undp.org

•    For all queries concerning the translations, print and distribution of the 2025 Report, please contact Marium Soomro: marium.soomro@undp.org
 

About UNDP
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

About the Human Development Report Office
The mission of the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) is to advance human development. The goal is to contribute towards the expansion of opportunities, choice, and freedom. The office works towards this goal by promoting innovative new ideas, advocating practical policy changes, and constructively challenging policies and approaches that constrain human development. The office works with others to achieve change through writing and research, data analysis and presentation, support to national and regional analysis and outreach and advocacy work.