Over 25 Million Children Out of School in Pakistan: Shocking Report

Pakistan is facing a severe education crisis, with millions of children still deprived of basic schooling. A leading rights organisation, Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM), has described the situation as a “national shame”, warning that the country is failing to secure the future of its younger generation.

The alarming scale of the issue highlights deep-rooted structural problems, including underfunding, inequality, and social barriers that continue to hinder access to education across the country.

Scale of the Crisis: Millions Left Behind

UNICEF Data Paints a Grim Picture

According to data cited from UNICEF, an estimated 25.1 million children aged 5–16 in Pakistan are currently out of school. This makes Pakistan the second-worst country globally in terms of children missing out on education.

The data underscores the magnitude of the crisis, pointing to a systemic failure that affects both urban and rural populations.

Regional Disparities Across Provinces

Punjab and Sindh Lead in Numbers

The crisis is widespread but varies significantly across provinces:

• Punjab has the highest number, with 9.7 million out-of-school children
• Sindh follows with 7.4 million, accounting for 44% of its school-age population

Other Regions Also Severely Affected

• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reports 34% of children out of school
• Balochistan is the worst affected, with nearly 69% of children aged 5–16 lacking access to education

Even the capital city is not spared. In Islamabad, around 90,000 children remain out of school, proving that “no region is immune to this national failure”.

Gender Inequality Worsens the Situation

Girls Face Greater Barriers

The report highlights that the gender gap is “another layer of injustice”. In provinces like Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, more girls than boys are out of school.

This disparity reflects entrenched social and cultural challenges that limit girls’ access to education.

Key Factors Behind Gender Gap

• Early marriages
• Safety concerns
• Deep-rooted societal norms

As noted by Voice of Pakistan Minority (VOPM):

“Early marriage, safety concerns, and entrenched gender norms leave millions of girls trapped in a cycle of illiteracy and poverty, their potential squandered before it can even emerge,”

Chronic Underfunding of Education

Low Budget Allocation

One of the core reasons behind the crisis is insufficient government spending. Pakistan has historically allocated only about 1.5% of GDP to education, far below the recommended 4–6% benchmark set by UNESCO and Sustainable Development Goal 4.

Further Decline in Spending

According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2024–25, education spending has dropped to a record low of 0.8% of GDP.

Budget Utilisation Issues

Nearly 90% of the education budget is consumed by teacher salaries, leaving minimal funds for:

• Infrastructure development
• Learning materials
• Teacher training
• Systemic reforms

Impact on Education Infrastructure

The lack of investment has resulted in:

• Overcrowded classrooms
• Poorly maintained schools
• Limited access in remote areas

“The result is a system that fails to reach the most disadvantaged children, with schools overcrowded, under-resourced, and inaccessible,”

This situation disproportionately affects children in rural and marginalised communities.

Long-Term Consequences for Society

Risk of a Lost Generation

The education crisis has far-reaching consequences. Millions of children—especially girls—are at risk of:

• Child labour
• Exploitation
• Lifelong poverty

“The consequences are devastating. Millions of children, particularly girls and those in marginalised regions, are being denied education, pushing them toward early labour, exploitation, and lifelong poverty. UNICEF emphasises that without urgent investment and policy reform, Pakistan risks losing an entire generation,”

Call for Urgent Reforms

The VOPM has stressed that the current situation is not unavoidable but rather a result of systemic shortcomings.

It described Pakistan’s slow progress in improving enrolment and learning outcomes as a “failure of leadership, planning, and prioritisation”.

Experts suggest that urgent steps are needed, including:

• Increasing education spending
• Improving school infrastructure
• Addressing gender disparities
• Strengthening policy implementation

Conclusion

Pakistan’s education crisis represents one of the most pressing challenges facing the country today. With over 25 million children out of school, the issue goes beyond statistics—it reflects lost opportunities, unrealised potential, and a widening gap in social and economic development.

While the challenges are complex, they are not insurmountable. Increased investment, targeted reforms, and a strong commitment to inclusive education can help reverse the trend. Ensuring access to quality education is not just a policy priority but a fundamental necessity for sustainable growth and national progress.

Without immediate and sustained action, the risk of losing an entire generation to illiteracy and poverty remains a stark reality.