Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Pakistan
Pakistan: Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes was 12.47 million in 2019. ▲ Rising
Latest (2019)
12.47 million
Change on year
up 0.0%
World rank
1st
of 58 countries
All-time high
12.76 million
in 2007
All-time low
10.69 million
in 1981
Years of data
15
1981–2019
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Pakistan, 1981–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Pakistan recorded 12.47 million for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in 2019.
The figure is up 5.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Pakistan peaked at 12.76 million in 2007 and was at its lowest, 10.69 million, in 1981.
Pakistan ranks 1st of 58 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Pakistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 10.69 million | — |
| 1998 | 12.11 million | +13.3% |
| 2005 | 12.34 million | +1.9% |
| 2006 | 11.36 million | -8.0% |
| 2007 | 12.76 million | +12.4% |
| 2008 | 11.52 million | -9.7% |
| 2009 | 11.85 million | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 11.91 million | +0.5% |
| 2011 | 12.30 million | +3.3% |
| 2012 | 11.73 million | -4.7% |
| 2013 | 12.24 million | +4.4% |
| 2014 | 11.80 million | -3.6% |
| 2017 | 11.30 million | -4.3% |
| 2018 | 12.46 million | +10.3% |
| 2019 | 12.47 million | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 10.69 million | 10.69 million | 10.69 million | 1 |
| 1990s | 12.11 million | 12.11 million | 12.11 million | 1 |
| 2000s | 11.97 million | 11.36 million | 12.76 million | 5 |
| 2010s | 12.03 million | 11.30 million | 12.47 million | 8 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
- 2 India 7.34 million compare
- 3 Bangladesh 2.14 million compare
- 4 Burkina Faso 2.14 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 youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Pakistan?
- Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes in Pakistan was 12.47 million in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 12.76 million in 2007.
- What is the lowest youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.69 million in 1981.
- How does Pakistan rank for youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes?
- Pakistan ranks 1st out of 58 countries with data for 2019.
- Is youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.2%. 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 Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release