Female school attendance in Pakistan has reached 57 percent in 2024-25, up from 50 percent in 2018-19, according to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan. The proportion of females aged 10 years and above who have ever attended school increased steadily over the six-year period, contributing to a rise in the overall school attendance rate from 61 percent to 67 percent.
Provincial and Regional Improvements
The documents show that gains in female education were recorded across all provinces. In Punjab, female school attendance increased from 59 percent to 65 percent. Sindh recorded an improvement from 45 percent to 49 percent. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa saw a rise from 38 percent to 47 percent, while Balochistan experienced a significant jump from 24 percent to 34 percent. These figures indicate broader access to education for girls, particularly in historically underserved regions.
The improvement was especially notable in rural areas, where female school participation continued to increase. Nationally, rural school attendance rose from 53 percent in 2018-19 to 59 percent in 2024-25, reflecting ongoing efforts to reduce disparities between urban and rural communities.
Progress in Educational Attainment and Literacy
The documents further highlight progress in educational attainment among women. The proportion of females aged 10 years and above who had completed at least primary education increased from 42 percent to 48 percent during the period under review. Female completion rates improved across provinces, contributing to overall gains in educational outcomes.
Pakistan’s literacy indicators also showed improvement. The literacy rate among females aged 10 years and above reached 54 percent in 2024-25. Rural female literacy recorded one of the most significant improvements among all population groups, though specific figures for rural female literacy were not provided in the documents.
Broader Education Sector Progress
The expansion of educational access for girls has contributed to broader progress in the education sector. During the same period, the national out-of-school children rate declined from 38 percent in 2023 to 28 percent in 2025. The overall literacy rate for people aged 10 years and above increased from 61 percent to 63 percent.
According to the documents, the continued improvement in female school attendance and educational attainment reflects ongoing efforts to enhance access to education and promote greater participation of girls in the country’s education system. The data underscores the importance of targeted interventions to sustain and accelerate progress, particularly in rural areas and provinces like Balochistan where female attendance remains below the national average.
