Islamabad: Pakistan's literacy rate reached 63 percent in the 2024-2025 period, a three percent increase from 2018-2019, yet it remains the lowest among South Asian countries. The data, compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and compared with the World Bank figures, highlights significant disparities in literacy across gender, provinces, and age groups within the country.
According to Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement-Household Integrated Economic Survey (PSLM-HEIS) 2024-2025, adult literacy in Pakistan is notably lower than in other South Asian countries, with Maldives at over 98 percent, Sri Lanka at 93 percent, India at 87 percent, and Bangladesh at 79 percent. Nepal and Bhutan also surpass Pakistan, with literacy rates of 68 and 65 percent, respectively. The regional average stands at 78 percent.
The PSLM-HEIS defines a literate person as someone aged 10 years or above who can read and comprehend a simple statement and write a simple sentence. The survey indicates a gender gap, with 73 percent of men being literate compared to 54 percent of women. Provincially, Punjab leads with a literacy rate of 68 percent, while Balochistan trails at 49 percent. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa both report a literacy rate of 58 percent.
Youth literacy, for individuals aged 15 to 24 years, rose to 77 percent in 2024-2025, from 72 percent in the previous survey. Adult literacy, encompassing individuals aged 15 and above, increased to 60 percent from 56 percent.
With Article 25A of the Constitution guaranteeing free and compulsory education for children aged five to 16 years, and Pakistan's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 4 which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, the country's literacy challenges remain a concern for governance and development.