20 Million Pakistani Children Still Out of School as Hunger and Poverty Deepen Crisis
Education remains out of reach for nearly 20 million children in Pakistan, even as enrollment shows slight improvement, according to findings from the latest Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES). The survey, conducted between September 2024 and June 2025, reveals that while the number of out-of-school children has declined from earlier estimates, the broader social crisis has intensified.
The national out-of-school rate now stands at 28 percent, down marginally from 30 percent. However, sharp gender and regional gaps persist. Girls, especially in rural Sindh and Balochistan, continue to face the highest exclusion, while poverty and rising education costs push many boys into work at an early age.
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At the same time, food insecurity has surged across all provinces, worsening household conditions and directly impacting school attendance. Nearly one in four households now faces moderate to severe food shortages, with Balochistan and Sindh reporting the most alarming figures.
The survey also notes modest gains in literacy and school participation, but officials warn these improvements are not enough. Experts say sustained economic growth is impossible without urgent investment in education, nutrition, and child welfare, particularly for low-income and rural communities already under severe pressure.
