Literacy in Pakistan

Literacy in Pakistan varies by sex, region, and rural–urban residence. According to the 2023 census, the literacy rate among people aged 10 years and older was 60.65%. The rate was 68.00% for males and 52.84% for females, while the urban literacy rate was 74.09% compared with 51.56% in rural areas. Among the four provinces, Punjab had the highest literacy rate at 66.25%, followed by Sindh at 57.54%, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at 51.09%, and Balochistan at 42.01%. The Islamabad Capital Territory had a literacy rate of 83.97%.

Literacy rate by Census The definition of literacy has been undergoing changes, with the result that the literacy figure has vacillated irregularly during the various censuses. A summary is as follows: Year of census TotalMaleFemaleUrbanRuralDefinition of being "literate"Age group1951 (West Pakistan)17.9%21.4%13.9%N/AN/AOne who can read a clear print in any languageAll Ages1961 (West Pakistan)16.9%26.1%6.7%34.8%10.6%One who is able to read with understanding a simple letter in any languageAge 5 and above197221.7%30.2%11.6%41.5%14.3%One who is able to read and write in some language with understandingAge 10 and Above198126.2%35.1%16.0%47.1%17.3%One who can read newspaper and write a simple letterAge 10 and Above199843.92%54.81%32.02%63.08%33.64%One who can read a newspaper and write a simple letter, in any languageAge 10 and Above202162.8%68%52.84%74.09%51.56%Age 10 and Above

Literacy rate by Province and Federally Administered Areas

ProvinceLiteracy rate19721981199820212023Punjab20.7%27.4%46.56%66.3%76.5%Sindh30.2%31.5%45.29%61.8%69.4%Khyber Pakhtunkhwa15.5%16.7%35.41%55.1%64.05%Balochistan10.1%10.3%26.6%54.5%58.7%Islamabad (ICT)...47.8%72.40%...96%Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)...25.7%55%...91.88% (2021)Gilgit-Baltistan...3% 37.85%...... Literacy rate by Districts

Mean Years of Schooling in Pakistan by administrative unit Unit19901995200020052010201220152018Azad Jammu & Kashmir3.784.59 5.42 7.47 7.22 7.35 6.92 6.51 Balochistan1.772.15 2.53 3.49 3.25 3.14 3.17 3.10 FATA1.421.73 2.04 2.81 2.71 2.69 2.60 2.45 Gilgit-Baltistan2.012.44 2.88 3.97 3.84 3.80 4.59 5.17 Islamabad (ICT)4.165.05 5.96 8.21 9.67 10.70 9.62 8.34 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa1.832.22 2.62 3.62 3.80 3.97 3.95 3.82 Punjab1.962.38 2.81 3.88 4.44 4.85 5.23 5.41 Sindh2.432.95 3.48 4.79 5.19 5.51 5.35 5.05 Pakistan2.282.77 3.27 4.51 4.68 4.85 5.09 5.16

Literacy rates and development Pakistan literacy rate is lower than other neighbours of it in South Asia at 63 percent, the second lowest in South Asia after Afghanistan which has a literacy rate of 37%. The male literacy rate is 73 percent and the female literacy rate is 54 percent. The female literacy rate drops to twenty-five percent in rural areas of Pakistan including Waziristan and Tharparkar. Girls' school enrollment also significantly drops in the rural areas of Pakistan. The enrollment rate for girls in rural areas is only twenty percent in grade school. Sixty-five percent of Pakistan's population is made up of rural citizens. Citizens in Pakistan face issues that affect their quality of life. Issues such as illiteracy are linked to poverty and lack of basic needs.

Parents with lower literacy skills struggle to understand health recommendations that can affect the development of their children. Malnutrition is a problem for children of parents who do not have a formal education status. Uneducated parents may not know the necessary proper nutrition needed for their children to adequately grow and develop. Malnutrition is associated with mothers who are illiterate and unaware of correct feeding practices. There are several factors that contribute to the low education levels in Pakistan. Among the primary catalysts are unemployment, poverty, lack of awareness, teachers' absenteeism, a scarcity of quality educational institutions, and insufficient government oversight of educational institutions.

Literacy in Pakistan

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