Education & Matrimony

What does “out of school” mean in Pakistan’s education data?

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Answer

Direct answer

The measure covers children aged 5–16 who never attended school or attended and left. The latest HIES 2024–25 report estimates 28% nationally, compared with 30% in its 2018–19 comparison round. The older PSLM 2019–20 district survey reported 32%; it must retain its own survey label.

UNICEF’s separately published 35% estimate is a different series. Do not combine one source’s percentage with another’s population count, or present the difference as a directly measured change.

28%out of school, ages 5–16, HIES 2024–25
Evidence

Sources used

National Survey · 2026

HIES 2024–25: Social Indicators Report

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics

Latest report linked by PBS at review: literacy, out-of-school children, household size and internet use. Survey period 2024–25; PDF page and table definitions matter.

Source checked:

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Government Data · 2021

Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey 2019–20

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics

Government survey source for literacy, education and household living-standard indicators.View source
International Organization · Live source

Education in Pakistan

UNICEF Pakistan

Live UNICEF education page: 25.1 million children aged 5–16 out of school (35%). This estimate is a separate series from HIES 2024–25; do not combine their counts or percentages.

Source checked:

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