ISLAMABAD: The majority of school-going children in Pakistan attend government schools, with a notable preference for private schooling in urban areas and among families with higher education levels, a recent survey has revealed. According to a Gallup & Gilani Pakistan survey, 62% of Pakistani children are enrolled in government schools, while private schools account for 33% of enrollments, religious madrassahs for 4%, and other institutions for 1%.

The survey, released by Gilani Research Foundation, is part of Gallup Pakistan’s ongoing series examining the educational landscape in the country. It underscores the predominance of public schooling in Pakistan, although private education is more prevalent in urban locales and among parents with advanced educational backgrounds. The findings highlight disparities in educational choices and access, suggesting that policymakers may need to focus resources and programming to address these gaps effectively.

The data, gathered from a nationally representative sample of 1,415 married men and women across Pakistan’s four provinces, was collected through telephonic surveys conducted between March 18 and March 31, 2026. The study’s results have a margin of error estimated at ± 2-3 percent with a 95% confidence level, providing a detailed snapshot of current educational trends in the country.