A alarming education crisis grips Pakistan, where 63 percent of the youth population and 23 percent of adolescents have never stepped into a formal school, according to the 2023 census data. This stark revelation paints a picture of millions of young people being pushed to the margins of society, deprived of basic opportunities.
Out-of-school adolescents and youth remain one of the most neglected groups in policy-making, media reports highlight. The situation is particularly dire for women: nearly 75 percent of females aged 15-29 have never received any schooling, compared to about 50 percent of males. Experts warn that this isn’t just an education gap; it’s a lifelong barrier to better jobs, healthcare, and social participation.
A joint study by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and UNFPA in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab sheds light on the challenges faced by these out-of-school youth. The research aimed to explore pathways for reintegrating them into education, employment, health services, and civic life.
Economic hardship emerged as the primary reason for 75 percent of dropouts. Other factors include household responsibilities, work pressures, lack of nearby schools, long distances, unsafe transport, and deep-rooted social norms—especially for girls. Early marriages and fears of harassment pose the biggest hurdles for female education.
Boys often shoulder family burdens early, taking up grueling, low-paying jobs. Two-thirds of young males reported feeling the pressure to earn from a tender age. Girls, meanwhile, spend over 85 percent of their day on unpaid domestic and caregiving tasks, leaving no time for studies or work. The average marriage age for girls in the study was just 18.
The fallout on employment is devastating: 75 percent of these youth have no paid work, with women hit hardest. Those employed toil in informal sectors for less than 25,000 rupees monthly despite long hours. Over 90 percent have never accessed vocational or skills training.
Health woes compound the misery—malnutrition, chronic pain, and mental health issues are rampant, yet high costs, travel barriers, and lack of awareness keep them from care. This crisis demands urgent, targeted interventions to salvage Pakistan’s future generations.
