Govt Reveals Gap Between Male and Female Literacy Rates

Pakistan’s national literacy rate has touched 61%, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25, released ahead of the federal budget. The survey shows that while male literacy stands at 68%, the rate for females is significantly lower at 52.8%, highlighting a persistent gender gap in education access. The country currently hosts 269 universities, of which 160 are in the public sector and 109 are privately run, reflecting a broadening higher education landscape. To support continued growth in the sector, the federal government has allocated Rs 61.1 billion for higher education in the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, the share of PhD-qualified faculty members in universities has reached 38%, a sign of improving academic capacity and research potential in the country’s institutions.