Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Pakistan

Pakistan: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes was 25.38 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
25.38 million
Change on year
up 3.1%
World rank
5th
of 218 countries
All-time high
25.38 million
in 2024
All-time low
3.99 million
in 1971
Years of data
44
1971–2024

Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Pakistan, 1971–2024

5.0M10.0M15.0M20.0M25.0M1971199720241971: 4.0M1972: 4.1M1973: 4.5M1974: 4.8M1975: 5.0M1976: 5.2M1977: 5.5M1978: 5.0M1979: 5.1M1980: 5.2M1981: 5.5M1982: 5.7M1983: 6.2M1984: 6.4M1985: 6.8M1986: 7.1M1987: 7.6M1988: 8.0M1989: 8.3M1990: 8.6M2000: 14.0M2001: 14.2M2002: 14.5M2003: 15.1M2004: 16.2M2005: 17.3M2006: 16.7M2007: 18.0M2008: 18.2M2009: 18.5M2010: 18.8M2011: 18.1M2012: 18.1M2013: 18.2M2014: 19.4M2015: 19.8M2016: 21.6M2017: 21.7M2018: 22.9M2019: 23.6M2021: 24.3M2022: 23.8M2023: 24.6M2024: 25.4M

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 in Pakistan, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number) in Pakistan, 1971 to 2024.
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%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 2 China 108.57 million compare
  2. 3 Nigeria 33.42 million compare
  3. 4 Indonesia 28.68 million compare
  4. 6 United States 23.83 million compare
  5. 7 Democratic Republic of Congo 21.15 million compare
  6. 8 Bangladesh 16.69 million compare

See the full ranking of 439 places →

More education data for Pakistan

All data for Pakistan →

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.

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Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in Pakistan. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-primary-education-both-sexes-number/pakistan/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
439 places, 21,055 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release