From census to census the definition of literacy has been undergoing changes, with the result that the literacy figure has vacillated irregularly during the last 10 censuses. A summary of the censuses is as follows:
| 1951 | 19.2% | 12.2% | 16.4% | -- | -- | One who can read a clear print in any language |
All Ages |
| 1961 | 26.9% | 8.2% | 16.3% | 34.8% | 10.6% | One who is able to read with understanding a simple letter in any language |
Age 5 and above |
| 1972 | 30.2% | 11.6% | 21.7% | 41.5% | 14.3% | One who is able to read and write in some language with understanding |
Age 10 and Above |
| 1981 | 35.1% | 16.0% | 26.2% | 47.1% | 17.3% | One who can read newspaper and write a simple letter |
Age 10 and Above |
| 1998 | 54.8% | 32.0% | 43.9% | 63.08% | 33.64% | One who can read a newspaper and write a simple letter, in any language |
Age 10 and Above |
Table below shows the literacy rate of Pakistan by province.
| Punjab | 20.7% | 27.4% | 46.6% | 71% | 63% |
| Sindh | 30.2% | 31.5% | 45.3% | 69% | 60% |
| Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | 15.5% | 16.7% | 35.4% | 60% | 53% |
| Balochistan | 10.1% | 10.3% | 26.6% | 50% | 44% |
Table below shows the literacy rate of Federally Administered Areas.
| Islamabad | 57.8% | 72.88% | 96% |
| Azad Kashmir | 35.7% | 65% | 68%(2012) |
| Gilgit-Baltistan | 21% (female) | 57.85% | 62%(2012) |
| Tribal Areas | 6.38% | 17.42% | 22% |
School attendance
Population age 10 and over that has ever attended school, highest and lowest figures by region. Islamabad has the highest rate in the country at 85%, whilst Jhal Magsi has the lowest rate at 20%.
| Punjab | Rawalpindi (86%) | Muzaffargarh and Rajanpur (48%) | ||
| Sindh | Karachi (78%) | Jacobabad (44%) | ||
| Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa | Abbottabad (88%) | Upper Dir (42%) | ||
| Balochistan | Quetta (99%) | Jhal Magsi (28%) | Hunza District | Hunza (97.9%) | Diamir 45% |
Comparison with other countries
Adult Literacy Rate
| Pakistan | 55% | 69% | 40% |
| India | 63% | 75% | 51% |
| Bangladesh | 57% | 61% | 52% |
| Nepal | 49% | 73% | 48% |
| Bhutan | 53% | 65% | 79% |
Youth Literacy Rate
| Pakistan | 71% | 79% | 61% |
| India | 81% | 92.9% | 87.2% |
| Bangladesh | 68% | 75% | 78% |
| Nepal | 61% | 89% | 78% |
| Bhutan | 74% | 80% | 68% |