HIES 2024-25 (SOCIAL REPORT) 74
Education NOTES: Children aged 10 - 18 years that cited the reason indicated for leaving school expressed as a percentage of all children aged 10 -18 years that left school before completing primary level. 2. Reasons for leaving school before completing primary level: “Other” includes , ‘No female staff’, ‘No male staff’, ‘Child sick/handicapped’, ‘Child too young’, ‘Lack of documents’, ‘Education Completed’, ‘Marriage', ‘Service(job)’, and ‘Others Province\Region BOYS GIRLS
Total Urban Total Urban Total Urban Parents/elders did not allow 0 0 0 4 9 8 Too expensive 10 18 17 4 12 11 Too far away 11 3 4 17 8 9 Education not useful 6 0 1 4 12 11 Had to help with work 15 34 31 0 4 4 Had to help at home 2 2 2 8 15 14 Education completed 0 0 0 0 0 0 Child not willing 35 29 30 15 3 5 Poor teaching behaviour 13 7 8 36 11 14 Others 7 7 7 12 25 24 Balochistan
Parents/elders did not allow 0 0 0 8 26 19 Too expensive 10 19 16 13 14 13 Too far away 10 2 5 3 10 7 Education not useful 29 2 13 35 12 22 Had to help with work 10 44 31 8 16 12 Had to help at home 0 0 0 7 0 3 Education completed 2 4 3 5 3 3 Child not willing 8 13 11 8 0 3 Poor teaching behaviour 8 0 3 5 7 6 Others 22 15 18 9 12 11
HIES 2024-25 (SOCIAL REPORT) 75
Education CONFIDENCE INTERVAL EDUCATION
Ever Attended population 10 years and older
Literacy 10 years and older
Region/ Province ESTIMATE STANDARD ERROR 95 % INTERVAL MIN. MAX. Pakistan 67 0.32 65.49 68.75 Punjab 72 0.39 70.64 73.18 Sindh 60 0.79 58.18 61.29 KhyberPakhtunkhwa 63 0.73 61.35 64.21 Balochistan 51 1.36 47.51 52.85 Urban Areas 77 0.52 75.45 77.69 Punjab 81 0.59 78.63 81.95 Sindh 74 1.19 70.96 75.62 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 74 0.88 70.76 75.21 Balochistan 63 1.95 59.02 66.66 Rural Areas 59 0.40 58.30 59.88 Punjab 66 0.53 64.36 67.42 Sindh 42 0.99 40.08 43.97 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 61 0.85 59.28 62.63 Balochistan 45 1.77 40.79 47.71 Region/ Province ESTIMATE STANDARD ERROR 95 % INTERVAL MIN. MAX. Pakistan 63 0.34 61.93 63.27 Punjab 68 0.42 66.74 68.40 Sindh 57 0.84 55.74 59.03 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 58 0.79 56.57 59.67 Balochistan 49 1.36 45.66 51.01 Urban Areas 74 0.56 72.60 74.79 Punjab 78 0.64 75.47 78.99 Sindh 72 1.27 68.78 73.78 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 69 0.97 66.20 70.02 Balochistan 61 2.07 56.43 64.55 Rural Areas 55 0.43 54.24 55.91 Punjab 61 0.57 59.88 62.10 Sindh 39 1.02 37.23 41.24 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 57 0.92 54.44 58.05 Balochistan 43 1.76 39.19 46.10
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Education
Gross Enrolment Rate at Primary Level (Aged 6 to 10)
NER Enrolment Rate at Primary Level (Aged 6 to 10)
Region/ Province ESTIMATE STANDARD ERROR 95 % INTERVAL MIN. MAX. Pakistan 90 0.64 89.19 91.69 Punjab 100 0.86 98.61 101.97 Sindh 80 1.28 77.92 82.96 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 90 1.46 87.07 92.82 Balochistan 60 2.66 54.97 65.40 Urban Areas 101 1.01 99.40 103.35 Sindh 95 2.06 91.25 99.35 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 103 1.98 98.72 106.49 Balochistan 70 4.10 62.24 78.32 Rural Areas 85 0.81 83.08 86.25 Punjab 95 1.13 92.96 97.40 Sindh 67 1.66 64.21 70.73 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 88 1.64 84.88 91.32 Balochistan 56 3.30 49.51 62.47 Region/ Province ESTIMATE STANDARD ERROR 95 % INTERVAL MIN. MAX. Pakistan 68 0.46 67.10 68.89 Punjab 77 0.59 75.56 77.87 Sindh 60 0.97 57.91 61.70 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 66 1.03 63.85 67.88 Balochistan 43 1.97 39.28 47.02 Urban Areas 77 0.70 75.25 77.99 Punjab 83 0.75 81.72 84.67 Sindh 70 1.53 67.46 73.47 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 76 1.32 73.36 78.54 Balochistan 54 3.34 47.30 60.39 Rural Areas 63 0.58 62.28 64.57 Punjab 73 0.82 71.16 74.37 Sindh 51 1.23 48.08 52.92 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 64 1.16 62.12 66.67 Balochistan 39 2.42 33.97 43.44
HIES 2024-25 (SOCIAL REPORT) 77
Education Gross Enrolment Rate at Middle Level (Aged 11 to 13)
NER Enrolment Rate at Middle Level (Aged 11-13)
Region/ Province ESTIMATE STANDARD ERROR 95 % INTERVAL MIN. MAX. Pakistan 61 0.76 59.64 62.63 Punjab 64 1.07 61.74 65.93 Sindh 51 1.51 48.39 54.32 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 69 1.91 65.29 72.77 Balochistan 49 2.37 43.93 53.20 Urban Areas 68 1.31 64.79 69.91 Punjab 71 1.80 66.33 73.41 Sindh 63 2.45 57.55 67.17 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 72 2.77 65.86 76.72 Balochistan 64 3.76 56.57 71.30 Rural Areas 58 0.94 55.63 59.30 Punjab 60 1.32 57.32 62.50 Sindh 39 1.74 35.45 42.28 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 69 2.18 64.38 72.92 Balochistan 43 2.89 36.65 47.97 Region/ Province ESTIMATE STANDARD ERROR 95 % INTERVAL MIN. MAX. Pakistan 40 0.55 39.06 41.21 Punjab 44 0.77 42.57 45.59 Sindh 32 1.10 30.01 34.31 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 43 1.35 40.39 45.70 Balochistan 25 1.57 22.24 28.41 Urban Areas 45 0.93 42.87 46.52 Punjab 49 1.26 46.16 51.09 Sindh 39 1.75 35.44 42.30 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 44 1.98 40.66 48.43 Balochistan 36 3.25 29.58 42.32 Rural Areas 37 0.67 36.13 38.77 Punjab 41 0.96 39.24 43.01 Sindh 25 1.26 22.07 27.03 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 43 1.54 39.77 45.82 Balochistan 20 1.77 17.53 24.47
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INFORMATION COMMUNICATION & TECHNOLOGY
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HIES 2024-25 (SOCIAL REPORT) 78
ICT
3 INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Introduction
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a cornerstone of modern development,
serving as a catalyst for economic growth, institutional efficiency, and social transformation. By
enabling seamless access to information, enhancing
connectivity, and streamlining service delivery
across sectors, ICT empowers governments,
businesses, and citizens alike.
In the context of Pakistan, the accelerating
adoption
of
digital
technologies—particularly
mobile
phones,
internet
connectivity,
and
computing devices—has
become integral
to
household welfare and national progress. ICT access
is no longer a luxury but a necessity, shaping
opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship,
civic engagement, and social inclusion. As digital
transformation deepens, ensuring equitable access to ICT becomes critical for bridging divides
and fostering inclusive development.
The ICT module in HIES 2024–25 is designed to capture household and individual access,
usage, and barriers to digital technologies. This evidence will support URAAN Pakistan’s
digital inclusion agenda, provide inputs for SDG monitoring, and align with ITU core ICT
indicators for international comparability, as outlined in the International Telecommunication
Union’s (ITU) Manual for Measuring ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals, 2020
Edition (Figure 3.1).
Importance of ICT Indicators
Digital Inclusion: ICT indicators provide evidence on both household and individual
access to the internet, mobile devices, and digital services, which are essential for bridging
the digital divide.
Figure 3.1 ICT for Improving Quality of Life
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ICT
URAAN Pakistan Vision: The module aligns with the Government of Pakistan’s URAAN Pakistan vision, which emphasizes universal digital access, affordable connectivity, and the empowerment of citizens through technology-enabled services (Figure 3.2). The 5Es National Transformation Plan (URAAN Pakistan) is Pakistan’s roadmap for economic revival and sustainable growth (2024–2029). It focuses on five key pillars: Exports, E-Pakistan (Digital Transformation), Environment & Climate Resilience, Energy & Infrastructure, and Equity & Empowerment. The plan aims to boost exports to USD 60 billion, promote a digital economy, strengthen renewable energy and infrastructure, and ensure inclusive, climate-resilient development. It serves as the foundation for the 13th Five-year Plan, aligning national priorities with the SDGs and Vision 2025 goals.
Figure 3.2: URAAN Pakistan Vision aligned with SDGs
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ICT
National Digital Transformation Agenda: The ICT module is an integral component of Pakistan’s broader digital transformation strategy, which emphasizes e -governance, digital financial inclusion, and ICT -enabled public service delivery. In HIES 2024 –25, the ICT module has been updated in line wi th international standards, specifically the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Core ICT Indicators (2020) and the recommendations of the UN Statistical Commission on ICT measurement. This alignment ensures international comparability, enhances global reporting, and strengthens Pakistan’s standing in digital development indices. The linkage between the ICT module and relevant SDG indicators is presented in Table 1. The findings presented in this chapter are based on data collected under the HIES 2024-25 Survey, providing updated insights on access to and use of ICT facilities by Households and Individuals across provinces, with urban and rural breakdowns. Table (1): ICT and SDG Linkages- Relevant SDG Goals and Indicators
SDG Goal Target Indicator ICT Relevance in HIES SDG 4 – Quality Education 4.4: Increase youth and adult ICT skills for employment and entrepreneurship 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with ICT skills, by type Measures digital literacy and skill acquisition at household level SDG 5 – Gender Equality 5.b: Promote women’s empowerment through technology 5.b.1: Proportion of individuals who own a mobile phone, by sex Enables gender- disaggregated analysis of mobile ownership and access SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth 8.10: Expand access to financial services 8.10.2: Proportion of adults with a bank or mobile-money account Tracks digital financial inclusion and economic participation SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals 17.8: Enhance use of enabling technology 17.8.1: Proportion of individuals using the internet Supports global benchmarking and digital cooperation
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ICT
Household Ownership to Communication and Digital Devices
3.2.1 Household-Level Ownership to Digital and Media Devices
The HIES 2024-25 collected information on household ownership of a range of ICT and media
devices, including landline/wireless phones, computers, laptops, tablets, radios, and
televisions. This data provides a snapshot of the penetration of both traditional communication
technologies and modern digital devices across Pakistan’s provinces.
The data reveal that television remains the most widely owned media device across
Pakistan, with 30% of households nationally reporting ownership. Ownership is highest in
Punjab (36%) and Sindh (31%), while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (11%) and Balochistan (12%)
lag significantly behind. In contrast, computers and laptops are still rare in households, with
national ownership at 3% for desktops and 7% for laptops. Punjab leads in both categories (4%
desktops, 8% laptops), whereas KP shows the lowest penetration (2% desktops, 6% laptops).
Tablets and iPads remain less common, with national ownership at 2%. Ownership is highest in
Sindh (3%), followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2%) and Balochistan (2%), while Punjab
reports 1% (Table 3.1). This highlights the uneven distribution of modern portable devices across
provinces.
Traditional devices such as radios and landline/wireless phones have nearly disappeared
from households, with ownership levels at 2% and 1% nationwide, respectively.
Table 3.1:Percentage of Households with ICT and Media Devices Province/Region
Pakistan 1 3 7 2 2 30 Punjab 1 4 8 1 2 36 Sindh 1 2 7 3 2 31 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa <1 2 6 2 2 11 Balochistan 2 2 7 2 <1 12