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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]
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/A | N/A | One 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 |
| 1972 | 21.7% | 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 |
| 1981 | 26.2% | 35.1% | 16.0% | 47.1% | 17.3% | One who can read newspaper
and write a simple letter |
Age 10 and Above |
| 1998 | 43.92% | 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 |
| 2021 | 62.8% | 68% | 52.84% | 74.09% | 51.56% | Age 10 and Above |
| Province | Literacy rate[3] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | 1981 | 1998 | 2021 | 2023 | ||
| Punjab | 20.7% | 27.4% | 46.56% | 66.3% | ... | |
| Sindh | 30.2% | 31.5% | 45.29% | 61.8% | ... | |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 15.5% | 16.7% | 35.41% | 55.1% | ... | |
| Balochistan | 10.1% | 10.3% | 26.6% | 54.5% | ... | |
| Islamabad (ICT) | ... | 47.8%[6][7] | 72.40%[6] | ... | 96% | |
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) | ... | 25.7%[8] | 55%[9] | ... | 91% (2021)[10] | |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | ... | 3% [11] | 37.85%[11] | ... | NA | |
| Unit[19] | 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2012 | 2015 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azad Jammu & Kashmir | 3.78 | 4.59  |
5.42 |
7.47 |
7.22  |
7.35 |
6.92 |
6.51 |
| Balochistan | 1.77 | 2.15 |
2.53 |
3.49 |
3.25 |
3.14 |
3.17 |
3.10 |
| FATA | 1.42 | 1.73 |
2.04 |
2.81 |
2.71 |
2.69 |
2.60 |
2.45 |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | 2.01 | 2.44 |
2.88 |
3.97 |
3.84 |
3.80 |
4.59 |
5.17 |
| Islamabad (ICT) | 4.16 | 5.05 |
5.96 |
8.21 |
9.67 |
10.70 |
9.62 |
8.34 |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 1.83 | 2.22 |
2.62 |
3.62 |
3.80 |
3.97 |
3.95 |
3.82 |
| Punjab | 1.96 | 2.38 |
2.81 |
3.88 |
4.44 |
4.85 |
5.23 |
5.41 |
| Sindh | 2.43 | 2.95 |
3.48 |
4.79 |
5.19 |
5.51 |
5.35 |
5.05 |
| Pakistan | 2.28 | 2.77 |
3.27 |
4.51 |
4.68 |
4.85 |
5.09 |
5.16 |
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]
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