Dudipat Panorama, For — Photo: Shikari7 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale

Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026

Pakistan: Education & Knowledge

How far does a country's schooling carry its children?

Pakistan is placed joint 176th of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 17.93 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 50.91 (2024).

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Education & Knowledge

joint176th

of 198 countries placed

Country Index 2026, all topics155th of 183 →

17.93Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
50.91Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
38.95Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
1.947Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Pakistan on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.

Why these keys

Key 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Why it is a key
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Pakistan’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
17.93
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Pakistan: 17.93. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
World median
3.691
Best in Southern Asia
0.103 Iran
Land neighbours
India 0.104 · Iran 0.103
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Why it is a key
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Pakistan’s is from 2024 · CC BY-SA 4.0
50.91
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Pakistan: 50.91. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
World median
85.9
Best in Southern Asia
94.42 India
Land neighbours
India 94.42 · Iran 59.82
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Why it is a key
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
38.95
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Pakistan: 38.95. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
World median
64.87
Best in Southern Asia
76.82 Bhutan
Land neighbours
Afghanistan 36.28 · China 89.82 · India 65.05 · Iran 75.5
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Why it is a key
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
1.947
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Pakistan: 1.947. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
World median
3.709
Best in Southern Asia
5.845 Bhutan
Land neighbours
China 3.897 · Iran 2.824

02Over time

Which way Pakistan is moving

Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.

Out-of-School Rate, Primary

Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better

PakistanWorld median

Pakistan fell from 30.23 in 2021 to 17.93 in 2024; the world median went from 3.33 to 3.691.

Every year’s figures

Year	Pakistan	World median
2024	18	3.691
2023	28	3.393
2022	29	3.002
2021	30	3.330
2020	—	2.678
2019	—	2.758
2018	—	2.439
2017	—	2.907
2016	—	2.954
2015	—	3.052
2014	—	3.904
2013	—	3.413
2012	—	3.408
2011	—	3.626
2010	—	3.491
2009	—	3.577
2008	—	3.878
2007	—	4.029
2006	—	4.338
2005	—	4.571
2004	—	3.791
2003	—	4.412
2002	—	4.144
2001	—	4.051
2000	—	8.642

Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary

Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better

PakistanWorld median

Pakistan rose from 10.24 in 2021 to 50.91 in 2024; the world median went from 86.96 to 85.9.

Every year’s figures

Year	Pakistan	World median
2024	50.9	85.9
2023	11.0	87.6
2022	11.4	87.7
2021	10.2	87.0
2020	—	88.3
2019	—	88.8
2018	—	89.6
2017	—	87.4
2016	—	87.9
2015	—	88.2
2014	—	89.2
2013	—	88.0
2012	—	85.4
2011	—	86.2
2010	—	86.1
2009	—	84.8
2008	—	85.8
2007	—	86.7
2006	—	84.0
2005	—	82.2
2004	—	81.8
2003	—	78.3
2002	—	80.0
2001	—	80.8
2000	—	66.3

Upper Secondary Completion Rate

Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better

PakistanWorld median

Pakistan rose from 12.48 in 2000 to 38.95 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.

Every year’s figures

Year	Pakistan	World median
2025	39.0	64.9
2024	37.8	65.0
2023	36.8	64.2
2022	35.9	63.6
2021	34.8	62.9
2020	33.2	62.2
2019	31.0	61.5
2018	28.3	60.9
2017	26.0	60.5
2016	24.1	60.1
2015	22.8	58.9
2014	21.5	57.0
2013	20.5	54.7
2012	19.5	52.4
2011	18.7	50.9
2010	18.0	49.5
2009	17.3	48.5
2008	16.5	47.4
2007	15.7	46.2
2006	15.1	45.0
2005	14.6	43.8
2004	14.2	42.9
2003	13.8	41.6
2002	13.4	40.3
2001	12.9	39.0
2000	12.5	38.0

Government Spending on Education

Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better

PakistanWorld median

Pakistan rose from 1.838 in 2000 to 1.947 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.

Every year’s figures

Year	Pakistan	World median
2023	1.947	3.7092
2022	1.973	4.0570
2021	1.687	4.2611
2020	2.057	4.4056
2019	2.215	4.1407
2018	2.332	4.2159
2017	2.576	4.1401
2016	2.668	4.2342
2015	2.386	4.2386
2014	2.204	4.2005
2013	2.237	4.3493
2012	1.979	4.0348
2011	2.001	3.9987
2010	2.053	4.1396
2009	2.179	4.6638
2008	2.273	4.4226
2007	2.235	4.1717
2006	1.981	4.0593
2005	1.671	4.0557
2004	1.443	3.9745
2003	—	4.1595
2002	—	4.0173
2001	—	4.1002
2000	1.838	3.8861

03In context

Pakistan beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.

Southern Asia

1st198thNot placed · 26 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on education & knowledge

Pakistan and the countries it borders

Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

Country	Standing	Out-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%)	Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)	Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%)	Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP)
India compare	44th	0.104	94.42	65.05	—
China compare	51st	—	—	89.82	3.897
Iran compare	104th	0.103	59.82	75.5	2.824
Pakistan	=176th	17.93	50.91	38.95	1.947
Afghanistan compare	not placed	—	—	36.28	—

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Across Southern Asia

Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.

Placed either side on education & knowledge

The countries immediately above and below Pakistan in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Pakistan is ahead of the world, and behind

29 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Behind the world median25

Statistics on which Pakistan does worse than the middle country measured.

Gender Parity Index, Tertiary EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 1.2441.0271.244▲ Improved since 2014
Pakistan: 1.027 · world median 1.244 · Adjusted gender parity index, tertiary gross enrolment (1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.74 to 1.83; higher is better.
Position 6th of 95 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95473.72701.95No earlier reading
Pakistan: 473.72 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 85th of 145 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2155.8989.21▲ Improved since 2015
Pakistan: 55.89 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.
Position 121st of 164 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2025 dataset
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.2680.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Pakistan: 0.268 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 132nd of 176 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2025 dataset
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.817.143.8No earlier reading
Pakistan: 17.1 · world median 43.8 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.8 to 93.42; higher is better.
Chart and every country The 2023 dataset
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0824.1960.08No earlier reading
Pakistan: 24.19 · world median 60.08 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 98.78; higher is better.
Chart and every country The 2023 dataset
Pre-Primary Net Enrolment RateUIS · 2024 · world median 65.9333.8565.93▲ Improved since 2021
Pakistan: 33.85 · world median 65.93 · Net enrolment rate, pre-primary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.779 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 97th of 120 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.1550.529No earlier reading
Pakistan: 0.155 · world median 0.529 · Adjusted wealth parity index, lower secondary completion (poorest vs richest fifth; 1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.032 to 1.022; higher is better.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0279.5434.02No earlier reading
Pakistan: 79.54 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Chart and every country The 2023 dataset
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.1640.814▼ Worsened since 2013
Pakistan: 0.164 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 70th of 84 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2023 dataset
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9415.0797.941No real change since 2017
Pakistan: 5.079 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.
Position 144th of 172 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2020 dataset
Qualified Teachers in Primary EducationUIS · 2024 · world median 93.6674.9793.66▼ Worsened since 2014
Pakistan: 74.97 · world median 93.66 · Primary teachers with the minimum qualifications their country requires (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary AgeUIS · 2024 · world median 6.34332.216.343No real change since 2021
Pakistan: 32.21 · world median 6.343 · Out-of-school rate, lower secondary age (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.011 to 79.71; lower is better.
Position 15th of 116 · derived, 1st = worst.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.5570.446No earlier reading
Pakistan: 0.557 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.
Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.
Position 19th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Chart and every country The 2017 dataset
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2273.1398.22No earlier reading
Pakistan: 73.13 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9958.8693.99No earlier reading
Pakistan: 58.86 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 156th of 172 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4359.4697.43▼ Worsened since 2015
Pakistan: 59.46 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.
Position 151st of 165 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2025 dataset
Tertiary Enrolment RatioUIS · 2024 · world median 52.7710.8652.77▼ Worsened since 2014
Pakistan: 10.86 · world median 52.77 · Gross enrolment ratio, tertiary (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.566 to 141.86; higher is better.
Position 87th of 95 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9334.3179.933▼ Worsened since 2013
Pakistan: 4.317 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 177th of 193 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2023 dataset
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32338.66414.32No real change since 2017
Pakistan: 338.66 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.
Position 160th of 172 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2020 dataset
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10041.26100▼ Worsened since 2021
Pakistan: 41.26 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.661.50298.66No earlier reading
Pakistan: 1.502 · world median 98.66 · Primary schools with internet access for teaching (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.347.89513.34▲ Improved since 2013
Pakistan: 7.895 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 187th of 195 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2023 dataset
Secondary School EnrolmentUIS · 2024 · world median 93.1948.2893.19No real change since 2014
Pakistan: 48.28 · world median 93.19 · Gross secondary enrolment ratio (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19.87 to 158.55; higher is better.
Position 105th of 109 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
School Life ExpectancyUIS · 2024 · world median 14.598.16914.59No real change since 2014
Pakistan: 8.169 · world median 14.59 · School life expectancy, primary to tertiary (years). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.478 to 21.01; higher is better.
Position 76th of 77 · derived.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset

No better end4

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,24066,4222,240No real change since 2022
Pakistan: 66,422 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Chart and every country The 2025 dataset
Female Share of ResearchersUIS · 2024 · world median 38.1747.0938.17No earlier reading
Pakistan: 47.09 · world median 38.17 · Researchers who are women (% of headcount; 50 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.54.
Chart and every country The 2024 dataset
Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of BirthNobel Prize Outreach · 2025 · world median 232No earlier reading
Pakistan: 3 · world median 2 · Laureates born in the country, 1901 to date (people). Nobel Prize Outreach, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 296.
Chart and every country The 2025 dataset
Outbound Mobility Ratio, TertiaryUIS · 2023 · world median 5.2794.1775.279Moved since 2013
Pakistan: 4.177 · world median 5.279 · Outbound mobility ratio, tertiary (% of tertiary enrolment at home). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.333 to 1,724.
Chart and every country The 2023 dataset

No current reading for Pakistan

Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2021), Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2015), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2003), Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Trust in Scientists (last 2018) and Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2018). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.

“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing

05Country Index 2026

Education & Knowledge among Pakistan’s 16 topics

Education & Knowledge is Pakistan’s 12th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.

On the profile

06The top of the list

Who leads on education & knowledge

The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Pakistan can most readily be measured against.

All 198 countries

1
United Arab Emirates
Western Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
Greece
Southern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
Poland
Eastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keys
Highest in Asia
United Arab Emirates1st2/4 keys
Highest in Southern Asia
India44th3/4 keys
This page
Pakistan=176th4/4 keys

Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.

07Analysis

Charts and analysis about Pakistan and education & knowledge

All charts

About Pakistan
May 7, 2025
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.

08Questions

Pakistan on education & knowledge: questions answered

Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.

How does Pakistan rank on education & knowledge?

Pakistan is placed joint 176th of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Pakistan?

17.93 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.

What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for Pakistan?

50.91 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.

How does Pakistan compare with India on education & knowledge?

India is placed 44th of 198, and Pakistan joint 176th. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: India 0.104, Pakistan 17.93; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: India 94.42, Pakistan 50.91; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: India 65.05, Pakistan 38.95.

How have Pakistan’s education & knowledge figures changed?

Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 30.23 in 2021 to 17.93 in 2024; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 10.24 in 2021 to 50.91 in 2024; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 12.48 in 2000 to 38.95 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 1.838 in 2000 to 1.947 in 2023.

Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Pakistan?

No current reading is published for Pakistan on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Government Funding per Primary Student, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Trust in Scientists and Upper Secondary Attainment. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

09Method

Method, sources and how to cite

What this topic does not measure

How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.

About education & knowledge, in full

How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided

A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.

The education & knowledge method, step by step How every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0

The other 29 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.

The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photographs

Pakistan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Pakistan (banner) — Shikari7, CC BY-SA 3.0
United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Pakistan: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/pakistan/education

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Pakistan: Education & Knowledge