Pakistan's Literacy Crisis: A Deep Dive into Education Challenges

Pakistan's Literacy Rates Under Scrutiny

Islamabad: A recent analysis by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has revealed that Pakistan ranks the lowest in South Asia regarding literacy, with only 63% of individuals aged 10 and older being literate, as reported by local media.

This assessment draws on data from the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement-Household Integrated Economic Survey (PSLM–HEIS) for 2024-2025, comparing it with World Bank literacy statistics for the region. The findings indicate a modest increase in literacy from 60% in 2018-2019 to 63% in 2024-2025, marking a mere three-point rise over six years.

Experts have expressed concern over the sluggish pace of improvement in a nation with a population exceeding 240 million. The FAFEN report also points out significant gender and regional disparities, revealing that male literacy is at 73%, while female literacy lags at 54%.

In terms of regional literacy rates, Punjab leads with 68%, followed by Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 58%. Balochistan, however, has the lowest literacy rate at just 49%.

For the youth aged 15-24, the literacy rate is 77%, but the adult literacy rate for those 15 and older stands at 60%, highlighting ongoing educational and skill gaps among older demographics, as noted by The Express Tribune.

FAFEN defines a literate individual as someone aged 10 or older who can read and comprehend a simple statement and write a basic sentence.

In a related poll conducted by Gallup Pakistan in January, it was revealed that many Pakistanis are struggling to afford basic necessities like food and education. A 20-year analysis of household spending indicates a shift in financial priorities, with families allocating more funds to cover living expenses rather than food.

Data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) shows that the proportion of household income spent on food has decreased from 43% to 37% between 2005 and 2025.

Conversely, expenditures on housing and utilities have surged from 15% to 25% of household budgets during the same timeframe, according to an editorial in a Pakistani daily.

The Gallup analysis suggests that this trend reflects households reducing food consumption to manage rising fixed costs, rather than food becoming more affordable. This is not an isolated finding, as other analyses also indicate that many Pakistanis are cutting back on food.

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, complicating the current living conditions and future prospects for many in Pakistan.

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 educational expenses for the first time in the country's history. Out of a total educational expenditure of PKR 5.03 trillion, households contribute PKR 2.8 trillion, while the public sector contributes PKR 2.23 trillion.

Household spending includes PKR 1.31 trillion on private school fees, PKR 613 billion on tuition and supplementary education, and PKR 878 billion on other educational costs. This disparity arises as families increasingly prefer private education due to significant issues within the public education system.