Youth literacy rate in Pakistan : Looking at brighter sides of statistics and story of 9% literacy rate gain among rural females in Pakistan

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has shared the micro data for the HIES/ PSLM survey

Through it one can really reach granular detail

Its easy to look at the darker side of data in Pakistan. Its appreciated more too by readers.

But the brighter side is often neglected.

Here are some hopeful numbers when it comes to youth literacy in the country.

Why Youth Literacy May Be Pakistan’s Best Education Indicator

Headline literacy rates (age 10+ or 15+) change slowly because they reflect decades of accumulated educational deficits.

Youth literacy (ages 15–24), however, captures what the school system is delivering now — making it one of the best forward-looking indicators of human capital.

And on this measure, Pakistan is showing quiet but meaningful progress.

Youth Literacy in Pakistan (Ages 15–24)

77% in 2024–25 (up from 72% in 2018–19)
Male: 82% (↑ from 79%)
Female: 71% (↑ from 64%)

The gender gap remains, but it is narrowing, not widening.

🌾 The standout trend: Rural female youth literacy

The most encouraging change is happening where progress historically lagged the most.

Rural female youth literacy (Pakistan-wide):
63% in 2024–25
54% in 2018–19

+9 percentage points in six years

For comparison:
Rural youth overall: 71% (↑ from 64%)
Rural male youth: 79% (↑ from 75%)

This means rural young women are driving a disproportionate share of recent gains.