Shocking Statistics: Over 26 Million Children in Pakistan Are Out of School!

A recent report from Pakistan's Federal Ministry of Education reveals that over 26 million children are out of school, with significant implications for the country's future. The report highlights alarming statistics, including a decline in education funding and rising malnutrition rates affecting students' growth. As families struggle to afford basic needs, the educational landscape is shifting, with households now bearing the majority of education costs. This article delves into the critical issues facing Pakistan's education system and the challenges that lie ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 27, 2026, 16:49 IST

Alarming Education Crisis in Pakistan

Islamabad: Recent findings from a government report indicate that a staggering 26.2 million children in Pakistan are currently not attending school, as reported by local media on Friday.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training of Pakistan unveiled the 'Girls’ Education Statistics and Trends Report 2023-24' on Thursday, highlighting the concerning number of children out of school, according to the prominent daily, 'Dawn'.

The report specifies that among the 26.2 million children, 3.4 million are girls. It also points out significant funding challenges, noting a decline in national education financing from 13% to 11%, with many provinces, particularly Punjab and Sindh, cutting back on their education budgets.

Furthermore, the report reveals that only 19% of schools are equipped with digital tools, and just 23% have ramps for students with disabilities. However, there is a lack of adequate specialized learning materials in schools, as reported by Dawn.

The report emphasizes that while provinces have shown reasonable execution capabilities, the diminishing focus on education is a major concern, indicating a shift in the educational landscape of Pakistan.

During the report's launch, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Federal Minister, announced that the primary school completion rate for girls has risen from 75% to 89%.

Malnutrition continues to pose a significant challenge, adversely affecting students' physical growth in terms of height and weight.

A previous report highlighted that Pakistan is facing difficulties in affording both food and education. A 20-year analysis of household consumption patterns indicates a shift in spending priorities towards managing living costs rather than investing in food, as revealed by a recent poll from 'Gallup Pakistan'.

Data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) shows that the proportion of household expenditure on food has decreased from 43% to 37% between 2005 and 2025, while spending on housing and utilities has surged from 15% to 25% of household budgets, according to an editorial in 'The News International'.

'Gallup's analysis suggests that this trend, coupled with declining real incomes and reduced food quantities, indicates that families are cutting back on food consumption to manage rising fixed costs, rather than food becoming more affordable. This trend is not isolated, as other analyses also indicate that Pakistanis are reducing their food intake,' the editorial noted.

The HIES 2024-25 survey indicates that the number of individuals experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity has risen from one in six to one in four between 2018-19 and 2024-25, making survival increasingly difficult for many in Pakistan, with bleak prospects for the future.

'According to the Institute of Social and Policy Science (I-SAP)’s 15th annual report on ‘Public Financing of Education,’ families are now shouldering the majority of education expenses for the first time in the nation’s history. Out of the total education cost of PKR 5.03 trillion, households contribute PKR 2.8 trillion, while the public sector contributes PKR 2.23 trillion,' the editorial elaborated.

Household expenditures include PKR 1.31 trillion on private school fees, PKR 613 billion on tuition and shadow education, and PKR 878 billion on other educational expenses. This disparity arises as families increasingly prefer private education for their children amid significant issues within the public education system.