Female school attendance in Pakistan has risen to 57%, reflecting continued progress in expanding educational opportunities for girls across the country.
Female school attendance climbs to 57% nationwide
ISLAMABAD, Jun 21 (APP): Female school attendance in Pakistan has risen to 57%, reflecting continued progress in expanding educational opportunities for girls across the country.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the proportion of females aged 10 years and above who have ever attended school increased from 50% in 2018-19 to 57% in 2024-25. The improvement contributed to a rise in the overall school attendance rate, which increased from 61% to 67% during the same period.
The documents show that gains in female education were recorded across provinces and regions. In Punjab, female school attendance increased from 59% to 65%, while Sindh recorded an improvement from 45% to 49%. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the rate rose from 38% to 47%, and in Balochistan from 24% to 34%, indicating broader access to education for girls.
The improvement was particularly notable in rural areas, where female school participation continued to increase, reflecting ongoing efforts to reduce disparities in access to education between urban and rural communities. Nationally, rural school attendance rose from 53% in 2018-19 to 59% in 2024-25.
The documents further show 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% to 48% during the period under review. Female completion rates also improved across provinces, contributing to overall gains in educational outcomes.
Pakistan’s literacy indicators likewise showed improvement. The literacy rate among females aged 10 years and above reached 54% in 2024-25, while rural female literacy recorded one of the most significant improvements among all population groups.
The documents indicate that 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% in 2023 to 28% in 2025, while the overall literacy rate for people aged 10 years and above increased from 61% to 63%.
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.
