Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) in Pakistan
Pakistan: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) was 25.38 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Pakistan, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Pakistan is 25.38 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 44 years on record.
The figure is up 3.1% on the previous year and up 30.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Pakistan peaked at 25.38 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 3.99 million, in 1971.
That places Pakistan 5th out of 218 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 3.99 million | — |
| 1972 | 4.12 million | +3.2% |
| 1973 | 4.46 million | +8.3% |
| 1974 | 4.81 million | +7.9% |
| 1975 | 4.99 million | +3.7% |
| 1976 | 5.24 million | +5.0% |
| 1977 | 5.53 million | +5.6% |
| 1978 | 5.02 million | -9.3% |
| 1979 | 5.13 million | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 5.21 million | +1.6% |
| 1981 | 5.47 million | +5.0% |
| 1982 | 5.74 million | +4.9% |
| 1983 | 6.18 million | +7.6% |
| 1984 | 6.41 million | +3.8% |
| 1985 | 6.83 million | +6.5% |
| 1986 | 7.09 million | +3.9% |
| 1987 | 7.64 million | +7.7% |
| 1988 | 7.96 million | +4.2% |
| 1989 | 8.27 million | +3.9% |
| 1990 | 8.61 million | +4.1% |
| 2000 | 13.99 million | +62.4% |
| 2001 | 14.21 million | +1.6% |
| 2002 | 14.49 million | +2.0% |
| 2003 | 15.09 million | +4.2% |
| 2004 | 16.21 million | +7.4% |
| 2005 | 17.26 million | +6.5% |
| 2006 | 16.69 million | -3.3% |
| 2007 | 17.98 million | +7.7% |
| 2008 | 18.18 million | +1.1% |
| 2009 | 18.47 million | +1.6% |
| 2010 | 18.76 million | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 18.05 million | -3.8% |
| 2012 | 18.12 million | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 18.15 million | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 19.43 million | +7.1% |
| 2015 | 19.85 million | +2.1% |
| 2016 | 21.55 million | +8.6% |
| 2017 | 21.69 million | +0.6% |
| 2018 | 22.93 million | +5.7% |
| 2019 | 23.59 million | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 24.28 million | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 23.85 million | -1.8% |
| 2023 | 24.61 million | +3.2% |
| 2024 | 25.38 million | +3.1% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 25.38 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1.66 million, 15.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 25.38 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1.12 million, 22.7× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) in Pakistan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | +62.4% | 8.61 million | 13.99 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.81 million | 3.99 million | 5.53 million | 9 |
| 1980s | 6.68 million | 5.21 million | 8.27 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 8.61 million | 8.61 million | 8.61 million | 1 |
| 2000s | 16.26 million | 13.99 million | 18.47 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.21 million | 18.05 million | 23.59 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 24.53 million | 23.85 million | 25.38 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
- 2 China 108.57 million compare
- 3 Nigeria 33.42 million compare
- 4 Indonesia 28.68 million compare
- 6 United States 23.83 million compare
- 7 Democratic Republic of Congo 21.15 million compare
- 8 Bangladesh 16.69 million compare
More education data for Pakistan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 2.04 million (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 440,233 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 5.05 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4.90 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 19.70 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 25.38 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.1 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.101 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Pakistan?
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Pakistan was 25.38 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 25.38 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.99 million in 1971.
- How does Pakistan rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- Pakistan ranks 5th out of 218 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 30.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 44 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release