Pakistan’s investment in education remains critically low, failing to meet international standards. In the first nine months of FY 2025 (July–March), combined federal and provincial education expenditures amounted to a mere 0.8% of GDP—far less than the global average of 4–6%.
During this period, education spending saw a drastic 29.4% decline, dropping to Rs 899.6 billion from Rs 1,251.06 billion the previous year. This sharp reduction comes as Pakistan struggles with worsening literacy rates, low school enrollment, and inadequate educational infrastructure.
Experts and policymakers warn that insufficient funding jeopardizes progress toward national and global development targets, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Despite government pledges to prioritize education as a key driver of growth, the sector continues to face severe underfunding.
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The impact is evident: millions of children remain out of school, literacy levels show little improvement, and many public schools lack basic amenities like electricity and clean water.