Public debate in Balochistan often centers on claims that the province receives inadequate investment in education and health. However, an analysis of the FY 2026-27 budget figures presents a different picture, showing that Balochistan allocates significantly more money per resident to these sectors than Punjab.
While Punjab’s overall education and health budgets are much larger in absolute terms, experts say total allocations alone do not provide a complete picture. A more meaningful measure is per-capita spending, which reflects how much investment is available for each citizen.
According to budget documents, Punjab has allocated approximately Rs442 billion for education in FY 2026-27, compared to around Rs144 billion allocated by Balochistan.
At first glance, Punjab appears to be spending substantially more. However, Punjab’s population exceeds 127 million people, while Balochistan’s population is estimated at around 15 million.
When population size is factored in, the comparison changes significantly.
Balochistan Education and Health Budget 2026-27 Compared With Punjab
Balochistan’s education budget translates into approximately Rs9,600 per resident, compared with roughly Rs3,400 per resident in Punjab. This means Balochistan is spending nearly three times more per person on education than Pakistan’s most populous province.
A similar trend can be observed in the health sector.
The comparison is not limited to education. Budget figures show that Balochistan also allocates substantially more resources to healthcare on a per-capita basis. While Punjab has earmarked Rs500.62 billion for the health sector, its large population reduces per-capita spending to approximately Rs3,942.
In contrast, Balochistan’s health allocation translates into roughly Rs8,067 per resident, meaning the province spends more than twice as much per person on healthcare as Punjab.
Policy analysts note that per-capita spending is often a more accurate indicator of government priorities than total budget figures, particularly when comparing provinces with vastly different population sizes.
Balochistan’s unique geography also plays a role. As Pakistan’s largest province by area, with a population spread across vast and remote regions, delivering education and healthcare services often requires greater expenditure per resident than in densely populated provinces.
The FY 2026-27 budget figures suggest that education and health remain among the province’s top spending priorities. The data also highlights the importance of examining per-capita allocations rather than relying solely on overall budget totals when assessing public sector investment.
The comparison challenges the perception that Balochistan receives limited government spending in these sectors. Budget figures show that, relative to its population, the province is allocating significantly more resources to education and health than Punjab.
As discussions continue regarding development and public investment in Balochistan, the latest budget data provides an important factual benchmark: on a per-person basis, the province is among the country’s highest spenders on education and health.
