Khan was known for his progressive policies, his efforts for the improvement of women's rights, his Pashtun nationalism, and for initiating two five-year modernization plans which increased the labor force by about 50 percent.
داوود خان به‌خاطر سیاست‌های مترقی‌اش، تلاش‌هایش برای بهبود حقوق زنان و شروع دو طرح نوسازی پنج‌ساله که نیروی کار را در حدود ۵۰ درصد افزایش داد، شناخته می‌شود.