Based on official data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) has released an analytical report on literacy rates in South Asia, presenting Pakistan’s education profile in comparison with other countries in the region.
The report states that Pakistan’s overall literacy rate stands at 63 per cent, the lowest among all South Asian countries. According to FAFEN, the rate has increased by only three per cent since 2018–19, reflecting what it describes as extremely slow progress in the education sector.
The data also highlights a significant gender gap in education. Male literacy in Pakistan is recorded at 73 per cent, while female literacy remains limited to 54 per cent.
At the provincial level, Punjab shows relatively better performance with a literacy rate of 68 per cent, whereas Balochistan records the lowest rate at just 49 per cent.
According to the report, Maldives leads South Asia with a literacy rate of 98 per cent, followed by Sri Lanka at 93 per cent, India at 87 per cent and Bangladesh at 79 per cent.
The regional average literacy rate is reported to be 78 per cent, placing Pakistan well behind its neighbours.
The report further notes that youth literacy in Pakistan stands at 77 per cent, while the figure drops to 60 per cent among the adult population.
FAFEN has reiterated that under Article 25-A of Pakistan’s Constitution, the provision of education is a fundamental responsibility of the state, and that the government is also committed to ensuring quality education under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
