Education & Matrimony

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

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Answer

Direct answer

PSLM defines out-of-school children aged 5–16 as those who have never attended school plus those who attended and later left. The 2019–20 district report provides national, provincial, district, sex, and urban-rural percentages. Nationally, it reported 32% out of school, with a higher share for girls and rural children. This is an education-access measure for a specific survey period, not a direct explanation of later employment, marriage timing, or matrimonial preferences.

Evidence

Sources used

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 · 2026

Education in Pakistan

UNICEF Pakistan

UNICEF context for out-of-school children, access gaps and gender/province differences in education.View source
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