ISLAMABAD — A recent analysis by Gallup Pakistan, using national survey data, shows that almost 28 percent of Pakistani children aged 5 to 16 are not attending school, with girls disproportionately affected compared to boys. The findings were based on the 2024-25 Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLM) and the Household Integrated Economic Survey.
Read More: Punjab tops list of out-of-school children
According to the data, 34 percent of girls are out of school compared to 22 percent of boys, highlighting persistent gender disparities in access to education. Geographical differences also remain stark: in rural areas, 34 percent of children are out of school, nearly double the 18 percent in urban centers. Rural girls are among the most affected, reflecting the compounded challenges of gender inequality and location-based disadvantage.
Gallup Pakistan’s analysis, using the Digital Analytics Dashboard, also points to broader trends in education access and literacy. Nationally, 67 percent of individuals aged 10 and above have attended school at some point, but attendance rates differ significantly—78 percent for men versus 56 percent for women, and 81 percent in urban areas compared to 61 percent in rural areas. Literacy rates mirror this divide, standing at 63 percent nationally, but 73 percent for men and 52 percent for women. Urban literacy reaches 77 percent, while rural literacy is 56 percent, with provincial variation ranging from 66 percent in Punjab to 43 percent in Balochistan.
Student retention remains a major concern. While primary school enrolment (ages 6-10) is at 68 percent, it drops to 40 percent at middle school (ages 11–13) and 30 percent at matric level (ages 14–15), indicating that many children do not continue education beyond early years.
Read More: Girls‘ Education in Shambles
Education experts warn that these figures reveal systemic barriers that prevent equitable participation and sustained attendance, particularly affecting girls and children in rural and under-served regions. Despite improvements in overall access, the structural challenges in Pakistan’s education system remain significant.