Islamabad: A university degree is often seen as a gateway to employment, yet in Pakistan, it increasingly leads to a prolonged search for work. According to Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics’ analysis of the Pakistan Labour Force Survey 2024-25, unemployment among university graduates is significantly higher at 18.3% compared to the national unemployment rate of 14.7% across all education levels.

The issue is particularly pronounced among younger graduates. According to Gilani Research Foundation, unemployment among graduates aged 20-24 reaches 32.8%, nearly one in three. This rate gradually decreases with age, dropping to 24.8% among 25-29-year-olds, 15.3% for those aged 30-34, and 5.3% among individuals aged 40-44. This trend suggests that the high rate of graduate unemployment may represent a waiting period rather than permanent exclusion from the labor market, with many graduates eventually finding work after years of searching or taking jobs below their qualifications.

The unemployment challenge is even more severe for women. Among female graduates aged 20-24, 42.3% are unemployed, compared to 26.1% of their male counterparts. The disparity increases among graduates aged 25-29, where 45.2% of women are unemployed versus 14.9% of men. Even in the 30-34 age bracket, female unemployment remains high at 36.1%, compared to 7.9% for men.

The study indicates that Pakistan’s challenge extends beyond merely producing more graduates. It involves creating sufficient high-quality jobs to accommodate them and addressing structural barriers that prolong the job search for educated women compared to men. For many young Pakistanis, a university degree has become the beginning of an extended job search rather than a direct path to productive work.