Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan
Pakistan: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal was 31.1% in 2021. ▲ Rising
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan, 2005–2021
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2021, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan stood at 31.1%.
That represents a change of down 23.8% on the previous year and down 11.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan peaked at 40.8% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 27.5%, in 2005.
That places Pakistan 107th out of 110 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 27.5% | — |
| 2006 | 27.9% | +1.3% |
| 2007 | 29.9% | +7.2% |
| 2008 | 32.8% | +9.6% |
| 2009 | 34.1% | +4.2% |
| 2010 | 33.7% | -1.3% |
| 2011 | 35.2% | +4.5% |
| 2012 | 33.2% | -5.8% |
| 2013 | 36.7% | +10.7% |
| 2014 | 37.3% | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 38.2% | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 32.7% | -14.5% |
| 2018 | 38.6% | +18.0% |
| 2019 | 40.8% | +5.9% |
| 2021 | 31.1% | -23.8% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 31.1% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 50.5%, 62% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 31.1% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 54.1%, 57% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 30.4% | 27.5% | 34.1% | 5 |
| 2010s | 36.3% | 32.7% | 40.8% | 9 |
| 2020s | 31.1% | 31.1% | 31.1% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
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 participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan?
- Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan was 31.1% in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 40.8% in 2019.
- What is the lowest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 27.5% in 2005.
- How does Pakistan rank for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal?
- Pakistan ranks 107th out of 110 countries with data for 2021.
- Is participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Pakistan data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 15-24 years old, male (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release