ISLAMABAD: The proportion of Pakistanis aged 10 years and above who have completed at least primary education increased to 57% in 2024-25, reflecting continued progress in educational attainment across the country.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the national primary completion rate rose from 51% in 2018-19 to 57% in 2024-25. Male completion increased from 61% to 65%, while female completion improved from 42% to 48%, indicating steady gains in educational outcomes for both genders.
The documents show that educational attainment improved in both urban and rural areas. In urban areas, the primary completion rate increased from 66% to 68%, while in rural areas, it increased from 42% to 49%. Male completion in rural areas rose from 54% to 60%, while female completion increased from 32% to 38%.
Among the provinces, Punjab recorded the highest primary completion rate, increasing from 57% to 62%. Sindh improved from 49% to 52%, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increased from 44% to 52%. Balochistan recorded the largest relative improvement, with the primary completion rate rising from 31% to 42% during the period under review.
The documents indicate that the gains in educational attainment have been accompanied by broader improvements in school participation. The proportion of the population aged 10 years and above who have ever attended school increased from 61% in 2018-19 to 67% in 2024-25. Male attendance rose from 73% to 77%, while female attendance increased from 50% to 57%.
Progress was also observed in rural communities, where school attendance improved from 53% to 59%. The documents note that rural female participation recorded particularly encouraging gains, reflecting ongoing efforts to expand educational opportunities and reduce disparities in access to education.
Pakistan’s literacy indicators also showed improvement during the period. The literacy rate for people aged 10 years and above increased from 61% to 63%, with male literacy rising to 73% and female literacy to 54%. Rural female literacy recorded one of the most significant improvements among all population groups.
The documents further show progress in reducing the number of children outside the education system. The national out-of-school children rate declined from 38% in 2023 to 28% in 2025, with improvements recorded across all provinces and regions.
According to the documents, the continued rise in primary school completion, school attendance and literacy rates reflects sustained efforts to strengthen educational access and improve learning outcomes across Pakistan.
