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 28.3% 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 28.3%, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of down 19.8% on the previous year and down 6.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in Pakistan peaked at 35.3% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 23.1%, in 2005.
That places Pakistan 109th 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 | 23.1% | — |
| 2006 | 23.8% | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 25.4% | +6.9% |
| 2008 | 27.9% | +9.7% |
| 2009 | 29.6% | +6.0% |
| 2010 | 29.4% | -0.7% |
| 2011 | 30.2% | +2.9% |
| 2012 | 28.3% | -6.4% |
| 2013 | 31.7% | +12.0% |
| 2014 | 31.9% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 33.1% | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 27.3% | -17.6% |
| 2018 | 33.5% | +22.8% |
| 2019 | 35.3% | +5.3% |
| 2021 | 28.3% | -19.8% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 28.3% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 49.1%, 58% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 28.3% is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 56.2%, 50% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 26.0% | 23.1% | 29.6% | 5 |
| 2010s | 31.2% | 27.3% | 35.3% | 9 |
| 2020s | 28.3% | 28.3% | 28.3% | 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 28.3% 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 35.3% 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 23.1% 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 down 6.4%. 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, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release