Literacy in Pakistan

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Literacy Rate in each Pakistani District as of the 2017 Pakistan Census Literacy Rate by Pakistani District - 2017 Census.svg
Literacy Rate in each Pakistani District as of the 2017 Pakistan Census

Literacy in Pakistan is a key for social-economic progress. The literacy rate in Pakistan has seen gradual improvement over the past few decades, but it remains a significant challenge. According to recent data, the overall literacy rate in Pakistan is estimated to be around 60-65%, [1] with notable gender disparities. The literacy rate for males is generally higher than that for females, particularly in rural areas, where access to education is more limited. Several factors contribute to low literacy rates, including poverty, cultural barriers, inadequate infrastructure, and a lack of quality education in certain regions. Efforts to improve literacy have been made through various government and NGO initiatives, but achieving universal literacy remains a long-term goal. Enhancing educational opportunities, especially for girls, and addressing regional disparities are crucial steps toward improving Pakistan's literacy rate. [2]

Contents

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: [3]

Year of

census [3]

Total [3] Male [3] Female [3] Urban [4] Rural [4] Definition of

being "literate" [3]

Age

group [4]

1951 (West Pakistan)17.9% [5] 21.4% [5] 13.9% [5] N/AN/AOne who can read a clear

print in any language

All Ages
1961 (West Pakistan)16.9% [5] 26.1% [5] 6.7% [5] 34.8%10.6%One who is able to read with

understanding a simple letter in any language

Age 5 and above
197221.7%30.2%11.6%41.5%14.3%One who is able to read and

write in some language with understanding

Age 10 and Above
198126.2%35.1%16.0%47.1%17.3%One who can read newspaper

and write a simple letter

Age 10 and Above
199843.92%54.81%32.02%63.08%33.64%One who can read a newspaper

and write a simple letter, in any language

Age 10 and Above
202162.8%68%52.84%74.09%51.56%Age 10 and Above

Literacy rate by Province and Federally Administered Areas

ProvinceLiteracy rate [3]
19721981199820212023
Punjab 20.7%27.4%46.56%66.3%70.5%
Sindh 30.2%31.5%45.29%61.8%65.4%
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 15.5%16.7%35.41%55.1%59.05%
Balochistan 10.1%10.3%26.6%54.5%58.7%
Islamabad (ICT) ...47.8% [6] [7] 72.40% [6] ...96%
Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) ...25.7% [8] 55% [9] ...91.88% (2021) [10]
Gilgit-Baltistan ...3% [11] 37.85% [11] ...75%

Literacy rate by Districts

District2023 [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] 2017199819811972
Muzaffarabad ...
Hattian Bala ...
Neelum ...
Mirpur ...
Bhimber ...
Kotli ...
Poonch ...
Bagh ...
Haveli ...
Sudhnati ...
Ghanche ...
Skardu ...
Astore ...
Diamer ...
Ghizer ...
Gilgit ...
Hunza ...
Kharmang ...
Shigar ...
Nagar ...
Abbottabad 87.34%
Allai ...
Bajaur 36.26%
Bannu 51.75%
Battagram 49.09%
Buner 53.75%
Charsadda 63.94%
Central Dir District ...
Dera Ismail Khan 56.58%
Hangu 53.15%
Haripur 84.88%
Karak 75.36%
Khyber 48.45%
Kohat 68.55%
Kolai Palas 28.80%
Kurram 45.22%
Lakki Marwat 58.47%
Lower Chitral 76.10%
Lower Dir 67.36%
Lower Kohistan 32.05%
Malakand ...
Mansehra 73.79%
Mardan 65.79%
Mohmand 41.28%
North Waziristan 42.82%
Nowshera 66.78%
Orakzai 43.57%
Peshawar 63.28%
Shangla 43.74%
Upper South Waziristan 41.96%
Lower South Waziristan 41.96%
Swabi 68.48%
Swat 58.13%
Tank 50.67%
Torghar 39.74%
Upper Chitral 83.83%
Upper Dir 56.77%
Upper Kohistan 29.05%
Badin 46.65%
Dadu 57.13%
Ghotki 51.38%
Hyderabad 77.21%
Jacobabad 52.34%
Jamshoro 59.63%
Karachi Central 93.55%
Karachi East 90.07%
Karachi South 88.57%
Karachi West 77.43%
Kashmore 45.59%
Keamari 72.07%
Khairpur 60.14%
Korangi 89.86%
Larkana 65.58%
Malir 73.14%
Matiari 55.88%
Mirpur Khas 55.37%
Naushahro Feroze 67.15%
Qambar Shahdadkot 50.02%
Sanghar 53.66%
Shaheed Benazirabad 60.86%
Shikarpur 53.70%
Sujawal 37.02%
Sukkur 68.26%
Tando Allahyar 49.80%
Tando Muhammad Khan 44.02%
Tharparkar 46.39%
Thatta 36.88%
Umerkot [17] 48.69%
Awaran 46.34%
Barkhan 43.62%
Chagai 43.15%
Chaman 49.97%
Dera Bugti 34.07%
Duki 54.18%
Gwadar 60.30%
Harnai 49.83%
Hub 46.47%
Jafarabad 45.53 %
Jhal Magsi 40.14%
Kachhi 40.20%
Kalat 49.70%
Kech 59.65%
Kharan 51.07%
Khuzdar 48.59%
Kohlu 38.53%
Lasbela 46.47%
Loralai 53.16%
Mastung 55.97%
Musakhel 46.60%
Nasirabad 38.96%
Nushki 67.12%
Panjgur 52.07%
Pishin 61.07%
Quetta 66.29%
Qila Abdullah 46.40%
Qilla Saifullah 42.96%
Sherani 33.86%
Sibi 57.41%
Sohbatpur 51.02%
Surab 47.44%
Washuk 31.58%
Zhob 46.62%
Ziarat 53.37%
Usta Muhammad 45.53%
Attock 80.22%
Bahawalnagar 67.01%
Bahawalpur 63.35%
Bhakkar 65.68%
Chakwal 87.79%
Chiniot 65.05%
Dera Ghazi Khan 56.78
Faisalabad 83.41%
Gujranwala 86.77%
Gujrat 88.37%
Hafizabad 75.77%
Jhang 69.45%
Jhelum 85.65%
Kasur 72.85%
Khanewal 70.97%
Khushab 72.52%
Lahore 89.62%
Layyah 71.83%
Lodhran 61.68%
Mandi Bahauddin 80.27%
Mianwali 72.87%
Multan 71.41%
Muzaffargarh 57.99%
Nankana Sahib [18] 73.12%
Narowal 85.28%
Okara 70.25%
Pakpattan 67.13%
Rahim Yar Khan 57.94%
Rajanpur 46.09%
Rawalpindi 89.22%
Sahiwal 74.77%
Sargodha 76.73%
Sheikhupura 78.88%
Sialkot 88.37%
Toba Tek Singh 81.38%
Vehari 69.10%
Talagang ...
Murree ...
Taunsa ...
Kot Addu ...
Wazirabad ...
Islamabad Capital Territory 95%

Mean Years of Schooling in Pakistan by administrative unit

Unit [19] 19901995200020052010201220152018
Azad Jammu & Kashmir 3.784.59 Increase2.svg5.42 Increase2.svg7.47 Increase2.svg7.22 Decrease2.svg7.35 Decrease2.svg6.92 Decrease2.svg6.51 Decrease2.svg
Balochistan 1.772.15 Increase2.svg2.53 Increase2.svg3.49 Increase2.svg3.25 Decrease2.svg3.14 Decrease2.svg3.17 Decrease2.svg3.10 Decrease2.svg
FATA 1.421.73 Increase2.svg2.04 Increase2.svg2.81 Increase2.svg2.71 Decrease2.svg2.69 Decrease2.svg2.60 Decrease2.svg2.45 Decrease2.svg
Gilgit-Baltistan 2.012.44 Increase2.svg2.88 Increase2.svg3.97 Increase2.svg3.84 Decrease2.svg3.80 Decrease2.svg4.59 Increase2.svg5.17 Increase2.svg
Islamabad (ICT) 4.165.05 Increase2.svg5.96 Increase2.svg8.21 Increase2.svg9.67 Increase2.svg10.70 Increase2.svg9.62 Decrease2.svg8.34 Decrease2.svg
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1.832.22 Increase2.svg2.62 Increase2.svg3.62 Increase2.svg3.80 Increase2.svg3.97 Increase2.svg3.95 Decrease2.svg3.82 Decrease2.svg
Punjab 1.962.38 Increase2.svg2.81 Increase2.svg3.88 Increase2.svg4.44 Increase2.svg4.85 Increase2.svg5.23 Increase2.svg5.41 Increase2.svg
Sindh 2.432.95 Increase2.svg3.48 Increase2.svg4.79 Increase2.svg5.19 Increase2.svg5.51 Increase2.svg5.35 Decrease2.svg5.05 Decrease2.svg
Pakistan 2.282.77Increase2.svg3.27Increase2.svg4.51Increase2.svg4.68Increase2.svg4.85Increase2.svg5.09Increase2.svg5.16Increase2.svg

Literacy rates and development

Pakistan literacy rate is lower than other neighbours of it in South Asia at 62.8 percent. The second lowest in South Asia after Afghanistan which has 37% The male literacy rate is 73 percent and the female literacy rate is 52.84 percent. The female literacy rate drops to twenty-five percent in rural areas of Pakistan including Waziristan and Tharparkur . 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. Feudalism and patriarchy leadership has kept females especially from receiving adequate education. [20]

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. [21] 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. [22]

In a study published by the Research Journal of Commerce, Economics, and Social Sciences, discusses the importance of education. The study compares Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan. Education plays a huge role and is a crucial tool for overall improvement in well-being. Education helps jobs, upholds social justice and equity, social and self-awareness, and open mindedness. Education is one of the most important contribution a country can offer its citizens in the hopes of inequality and poverty. Education has a very positive effect on human life. In any society education plays such a basic role and without education we cannot imagine a life. This study found that there are many differences in culture in Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan as well as resources within the country are also very different. The data reveals that the literacy rate of Indonesia is 90%, Malaysia is 89% and Pakistan is 62.8%, which is significantly lower in compared to the other two countries. In comparison to these other two countries, Pakistan has the more poverty and inequality within its country. It only makes sense that it has the lowest literacy rate because of this. If Pakistan's literacy rates were to go up, their poverty and inequality within their country would hopefully go down, creating a better society and more beneficial country. [23]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Districts of Pakistan</span> Third-level administrative units of Pakistan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chagai District</span> District of Balochistan in Pakistan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lahore District</span> District in Punjab, Pakistan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Education in Pakistan</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loralai District</span> District of Balochistan in Pakistan

Loralai District is a district in the northeast of Balochistan province of Pakistan. The town of Loralai serves as the district headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chakwal District</span> District in Punjab, Pakistan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwadar District</span> District in Balochistan, Pakistan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaffarabad District</span> District of Balochistan in Pakistan

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kohlu District</span> District in Balochistan, Pakistan

Kohlu district is a district of the Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is bounded in the north by Loralai District, with Dera Bugti in the south, Barkhan in the east, and Sibi District in the west.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khuzdar District</span> District of Balochistan in Pakistan

Khuzdar is a district in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. The city of Khuzdar serves as the district's headquarters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mastung District</span> District of Balochistan in Pakistan

Mastung District is a district located in the northwest of Balochistan province, Pakistan. Prior to its creation as a separate district in 1991, Mastung was part of Kalat District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kharan District</span> District of Balochistan in Pakistan

Kharan district is a district in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attock District</span> District of Punjab in Pakistan

Attock District, known as Campbellpur District during British Raj, is a district, located on the Pothohar Plateau, in Punjab, Pakistan; created in April 1904. According to 2023 Pakistani census population of Attock District is 2,133,005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kalat District</span> District in Balochistan, Pakistan

Kalat District is a district located in Kalat Division of Balochistan, Pakistan. Kalat was made a separate district on February 3, 1954. At that time Khuzdar and Mastung districts were sub-divisions of Kalat. Khuzdar became a separate district by notification of 1 March 1974, while Mastung was announced as a separate district on 18 February 1992. The district draws its name from the ancient city of Kalat. The old name of the district headquarters was Kahan. The current district consists of two sub-divisions, i.e. Kalat and Manguchar, four tehsils: Kalat Mangochar, Johan, and Gazgz, 81 Patwar circles and 614 mauza (villages).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khanewal District</span> District in Punjab, Pakistan

Khanewal District is a district of the Punjab province of Pakistan. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the district had a population of 2,068,490, of which 17.42% were urban. Khanewal is located at latitude and longitude 30°18' and 71°55'0E respectively with an altitude of 128 metres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nankana Sahib District</span> District in Punjab, Pakistan

Nankana Sahib District is a district in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Nankana Sahib is the seat of the district government, and Shahkot is the largest urban center. The district of Nankana Sahib is located about 75 kilometres (47 mi) west of Lahore and about 53 kilometres (33 mi) east of Faisalabad. Until 2005, it was part of Sheikhupura District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gujranwala Division</span> Division in Punjab, Pakistan

Gujranwala Division is an administrative division of Punjab province, Pakistan. The division, headquartered at the city of Gujranwala, consist of 3 districts, covers an area of 8,975 km2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahiwal Division</span> Administrative division in Punjab, Pakistan

Sahiwal Division is one of the ten Divisions of Punjab, Pakistan. Sahiwal Division is situated in east-central Punjab, along the N-5 National Highway, approximately midway between Lahore and Multan. It is bordered by Faisalabad Division to the west, Lahore Division to the north, Bahawalpur Division and India to the east, and Multan Division to the south. The division is located on the floodplains of two major rivers: the Ravi River to the west and the Sutlej River to the east. Additionally, the dry Khushak Bias channel traverses the region, forming a natural boundary between Sahiwal District and Pakpattan District. With an elevation of approximately 500 ft (150 m) above sea level, parts of the division rise to over 200 meters, contributing to its varied topography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washuk District</span> District of Balochistan in Pakistan

Washuk District is a district in Balochistan province of Pakistan. The town of Washuk, which serves as the district headquarters, is located in the center of the district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sohbatpur District</span> District of Balochistan in Pakistan

Sohbatpur District is a district in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.

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