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 25.4% 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
The most recent figure for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan is 25.4%, measured in 2021.
The figure is down 14.2% on the previous year and up 1.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan peaked at 29.6% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 18.5%, in 2005.
Pakistan ranks 109th of 110 countries on this measure, 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 | 18.5% | — |
| 2006 | 19.5% | +5.2% |
| 2007 | 20.8% | +6.6% |
| 2008 | 22.8% | +9.4% |
| 2009 | 24.7% | +8.4% |
| 2010 | 24.6% | -0.3% |
| 2011 | 25.0% | +1.7% |
| 2012 | 23.5% | -6.0% |
| 2013 | 26.3% | +11.9% |
| 2014 | 26.4% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 27.9% | +6.0% |
| 2016 | 22.1% | -20.9% |
| 2018 | 28.3% | +28.2% |
| 2019 | 29.6% | +4.4% |
| 2021 | 25.4% | -14.2% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 25.4% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 45.6%, 56% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 25.4% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 58.8%, 43% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 21.3% | 18.5% | 24.7% | 5 |
| 2010s | 26.0% | 22.1% | 29.6% | 9 |
| 2020s | 25.4% | 25.4% | 25.4% | 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 25.4% 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 29.6% 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 18.5% in 2005.
- How does Pakistan rank for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal?
- Pakistan ranks 109th 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 up 1.4%. 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, female (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release