Pakistan's Literacy Rates Lag Behind in South Asia

Pakistan's Literacy Challenges

Islamabad, Feb 3: 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 above being literate, as reported by local media.

This review utilized official 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 slow pace of improvement in a nation with a population exceeding 240 million. The FAFEN report also pointed out significant gender and regional disparities. Male literacy is reported at 73%, while female literacy lags at 54%. In terms of provinces, Punjab has a literacy rate of 68%, whereas Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa both stand at 58%. Balochistan has the lowest literacy rate at just 49%.

For youth aged 15-24, the literacy rate is 77%, but adult literacy for those 15 and older is only 60%, highlighting ongoing educational gaps among older demographics. FAFEN defines a literate individual as someone aged 10 or older who can read and comprehend a simple statement and write a basic sentence.

A January poll by Gallup Pakistan indicated that many citizens are struggling to afford basic necessities like food and education. A 20-year analysis of household spending in Pakistan shows a shift in financial priorities, with families allocating more funds to cover living expenses rather than food.

According to the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES), the proportion of household income spent on food decreased from 43% to 37% between 2005 and 2025. In contrast, expenditures on housing and utilities rose from 15% to 25% of household budgets, as noted in an editorial from a local daily.

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.

The HIES 2024-25 survey also revealed a troubling increase in food insecurity, with the number of people facing moderate to severe food shortages rising from one in six to one in four between 2018-19 and 2024-25, complicating survival for many in Pakistan.

Furthermore, the Institute of Social and Policy Science (I-SAP) reported that families are now responsible for the majority of educational expenses, a first in the country's history. Of the total education cost of PKR 5.03 trillion, households contribute PKR 2.8 trillion, while the public sector provides PKR 2.23 trillion.

This household expenditure includes PKR 1.31 trillion on private school fees, PKR 613 billion on tutoring and supplementary education, and PKR 878 billion on other educational costs. This trend reflects a growing preference for private education amid significant concerns regarding the public education system's effectiveness.