ISLAMABAD: For the second consecutive year, more women than men are graduating from universities in Pakistan, marking a significant shift in the gender composition of higher education graduates in the nation. According to Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics, a report has shown that in the academic year 2023-24, 278,054 women graduated compared to 259,758 men, while in 2024-25, 272,089 women graduated versus 250,418 men.

According to Gilani Research Foundation, the cumulative data over a decade indicates a near-even distribution of graduates between genders, with more recent years showing a tilt towards female graduates. This trend represents a reversal from prior years, where male graduates consistently outnumbered female graduates until the academic year 2022-23.

The data also highlights broader trends in higher education, noting a 48% increase in annual graduate output from 2016-17 to 2024-25. The share of bachelor’s degree holders has increased, while the number of master’s graduates has declined. Additionally, the number of PhDs awarded annually has tripled over the same period. The findings suggest changing dynamics in Pakistan’s higher education landscape, as well as a shift towards women’s participation.