Islamabad: Pakistan’s educational landscape reveals continuing disparities in school enrollment and literacy, with significant gender and regional inequalities, according to data from the PSLM-HIES 2024-25 Social Report. The findings, released by the Gilani Research Foundation, highlight that 28% of children aged 5-16 are not enrolled in school, with a pronounced gap between girls (34%) and boys (22%).

According to Gallup Pakistan’s Big Data Analysis Series, spearheaded by Executive Director Bilal I. Gilani, the report analyzes a range of educational indicators, including school attendance, literacy rates, and enrollment figures, dissected by gender, province, and urban-rural divisions. The analysis underscores that while school attendance has improved, with 67% of the population aged 10 and above having attended school, deep-rooted disparities persist. Notably, the gender gap remains significant, with 78% of men having attended school compared to 56% of women.

Rural areas continue to face higher educational exclusion, with only 61% of rural residents having ever attended school, compared to 81% in urban areas. This urban-rural divide is even more pronounced among children, where 34% in rural areas remain out of school, and the figure is higher for girls. The report also highlights stark provincial disparities, with literacy rates ranging from 66% in Punjab to a mere 43% in Balochistan.

The data suggest that Pakistan’s education challenges extend beyond mere access, focusing on retention and equitable learning opportunities, particularly in rural regions and among girls. Net enrollment figures show a sharp decline beyond primary education, with only 40% enrolling at the middle level and 30% at the matric level, indicating a significant dropout rate during early adolescence.

The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address structural barriers, such as school distance and safety concerns, which contribute to high dropout rates, especially among rural girls. Without addressing these critical bottlenecks, the report warns, improvements in primary enrollment are unlikely to lead to substantial gains in secondary education completion.