Islamabad: A recent survey by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan has found that walking is the predominant mode of school travel for children in Pakistan, with 77% of school-going children relying on this method. The data reveals a slight increase in walking among rural children at 78%, while families with higher educational backgrounds are more likely to utilize motorcycles, cars, or public transport for school commutes.

According to Gilani Research Foundation, the survey, part of Gallup Pakistan’s ongoing series examining the school landscape in the country, also highlights urban-rural disparities in transportation preferences. The findings, derived from telephonic surveys conducted with a nationally representative sample of 1,415 married men and women across all four provinces, show that 11% of children travel by motorcycle, 6% use public transport, 3% are driven in cars or carry vans, 2% ride bicycles, and 1% use a school bus.

The survey, conducted between March 18 and March 31, 2026, underscores the influence of parental education on transportation choices, with urban families and those with higher educational attainment opting more frequently for motorized transport. The study provides insights into the mobility challenges faced by schoolchildren, particularly in rural areas, where walking remains the primary mode of travel. The margin of error for the survey is estimated to be approximately ± 2-3 percent at a 95% confidence level.