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28% of Pakistani Children Out of School, Girls Disproportionately Affected

A report by Gallup Pakistan reveals that nearly 28% of children aged 5-16 in Pakistan are out of school, with girls disproportionately affected at a 34% non-enrollment rate compared to 22% for boys. The disparities are stark in rural regions, where female literacy is significantly lower and access to education is hindered by geography and gender. Enrollment plummets from 68% in primary school to only about 30% by matriculation, highlighting severe structural barriers. Financial pressures, domestic duties, safety concerns, and social expectations—particularly early marriage for girls—are key factors driving children out of the education system.

Key Points: 28% of Pakistani Children Out of School: Report

  • 28% of 5-16 year olds out of school
  • 34% of girls vs 22% of boys not enrolled
  • Rural-urban literacy gap is 56% vs 77%
  • Enrollment drops sharply from primary to matriculation
2 min read

Nearly 28 per cent children out of school in Pakistan: Report

A new report reveals 28% of Pakistani children aged 5-16 are out of school, with girls and rural areas facing the highest exclusion rates.

"Nearly 28 per cent of children in Pakistan, aged between 5-16 years, are out of school. - Gallup Pakistan HIES Survey"

Islamabad, March 18

Nearly 28 per cent of children in Pakistan, aged between 5-16 years, are out of school. Quite alarmingly, girls are disproportionately impacted as 34 per cent of girls are not enrolled in schools in comparison to 22 per cent of boys, local media reported on Wednesday.

These disparities are more seen in rural regions of Pakistan, especially for girls, where exclusion for education is more, pointing to how gender and geography reduce educational access.

Two-thirds of Pakistanis aged 10 years and above have attended school at some point as access to education remains highly unequal in Pakistan, Pakistan's leading daily The Express Tribune reported citing the HIES survey by Gallup Pakistan.

Pakistan's national literacy rate stands at 63 per cent with male literacy at 73 per cent and female at 52 per cent.

According to the Express Tribune report, literacy in urban areas stands at 77 per cent compared to 56 per cent in rural areas. While 68 per cent of children are enrolled in primary school, the numbers reduce sharply at higher levels of education. Only 40 per cent study in middle school and around 30 per cent in matriculation. This sharp drop in the number of students continuing education in schools highlights the challenges faced by them, especially in rural and underprivileged areas, pointing to structural barriers such as safety concerns, school distance, and rising opportunity costs like children age, especially pronounced for rural girls.

According to the report, financial pressure, domestic responsibilities and limited post-primary schooling options contribute to children not continuing education in schools. These challenges further increase for girls due to social expectations and early marriage, the Express Tribune reported. According to the report, the province of Punjab has the highest literacy rate in Pakistan with 66 per cent while Sindh stands at 61 per cent. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's literacy rate is 55 per cent while Balochistan has just 43 per cent literacy rate.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh Q
The rural-urban divide is a story we know too well in South Asia. 56% literacy in rural areas vs 77% in urban... it's a massive gap. The structural barriers mentioned—safety, distance, opportunity cost—are the real villains. Governments need to make schools accessible and safe, especially for girls.
A
Aman W
Balochistan at 43% literacy... that's devastating. Such regional inequalities create long-term instability. While we often discuss politics, the human development index tells the real story. Hope the focus shifts to building schools and training teachers in these provinces.
S
Sarah B
The sharp drop from primary to middle school is the key issue. It's not just about enrollment, it's about retention. Financial pressure and domestic responsibilities pulling kids out is a complex social problem. Needs a multi-pronged approach - maybe conditional cash transfers for families who keep girls in school?
K
Karthik V
With respect, while the report is concerning, we must also look inward. Our own ASER reports often show similar learning crisis issues in many Indian states. It's a South Asian challenge. Instead of comparison, maybe there's scope for regional cooperation on education models that work in our contexts?
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Nisha Z
"Social expectations and early marriage" – this line says everything. Until families and communities see value in educating a daughter, numbers won't change. It's about changing mindsets, which is the hardest part. Awareness campaigns showing successful educated women could help. 💪

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