Pakistan’s literacy rate has reached 63%, and internet access has expanded fast. Health indicators also show improvement. But millions of children still do not go to school, and food insecurity has increased in many areas.
A Household Integrated Economic Survey was released on Thursday by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). According to that, Pakistan’s literacy rate has increased from 60% to 63% over the past five years. Punjab recorded the highest literacy rate at 68%, while Balochistan remained the lowest at 49%.
Access to Education Has Made Progress
The report also shows progress in education access. The share of out-of-school children has dropped from 30% to 28% nationwide. This equals around 20 million children still not attending school, based on population figures from the 2023 census. Out of these, 20% never enrolled, while 8% dropped out due to costs or the need to work.
PBS conducted the survey after six years, from September 2024 to June 2025.
Rapid Internet Access but Lacking Financial Literacy
Internet access at the household level has jumped from 34% to about 70%. The share of people using the internet increased from 17% to 57%. Mobile or smartphone access now exists in 96% of homes.
However, the survey found that only 12% of people have a bank account, and 9% use mobile money, while 76% have no financial account, showing low digital financial inclusion.
Health and Living Conditions Improved
Health indicators showed improvement.
· The infant mortality rate fell from 60 to 47 deaths per 1,000 live births.
· Neonatal mortality declined from 41 to 35 per 1,000.
· Full immunization coverage increased from 68% to 73%.
· Contraceptive use rose from 34% to 38%.
· Access to water inside homes improved from 74% to 79%.
Alarming Situation of Food Insecurity
· Households spent 37% of income on food and 26% on housing and fuel.
· Access to clean cooking fuel has increased to 38%.
Despite gains in some areas, food insecurity has increased. Around one in four households now faces moderate or severe food insecurity, with the highest levels in Balochistan and Sindh.
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, speaking at the survey launch, said Pakistan “cannot progress with a 63% literacy rate,” calling the pace of improvement insufficient.
