Pakistan’s budget transparency score has increased by 50 percent in two years, rising from 30 out of 100 in 2023 to 45 in 2025, according to an assessment by the International Budget Partnership (IBP).
The improvement was shared by the Adviser to the Finance Minister in a post on X on Monday, who said the latest Open Budget Survey independently validated progress in fiscal openness, public access to budget information and accountability.
Pakistan’s 2025 score of 45 is equal to the global average and places the country ahead of India, which scored 44, Sri Lanka at 43 and Bangladesh at 37. Nigeria scored 24, while China recorded 19.
The biggest gains came in areas identified for improvement in the previous survey. Pakistan’s Executive Budget Proposal score rose from 43 to 57, while the Enacted Budget score increased from 33 to 50.
The country’s Year-End Report also recorded a major improvement, reaching 52 after previously being published late. Public participation improved from 15 to 22.
The adviser said the IBP specifically recognized the timely online publication of the Year-End Report and more comprehensive information provided in the Executive Budget Proposal.
Pakistan’s public participation score of 22 is also above the global average of 17 and the Asia-Pacific average of 18.
The post said the improvement reflects efforts to provide more timely and accessible fiscal information, expand stakeholder consultations and strengthen public and parliamentary participation in the budget process.
The adviser also cited a recent US State Department fiscal transparency assessment, which recognized Pakistan’s widely accessible Enacted Budget and Year-End Report, substantial disclosure of planned revenues and expenditures, generally reliable budget information and independent audit oversight.
The assessment also recognized transparent frameworks for natural-resource awards and public procurement, along with the legal framework governing the sovereign wealth fund.
Pakistan’s budget transparency score has improved from 30 to 45 in just two years, bringing the country to the global average while placing it above several regional peers.
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