ducation has long been valued as the golden key to progress, symbolising the hope that knowledge will unlock doors to better employment, enhanced living standards and a more promising future. However, in Pakistan today, that foundational promise is increasingly unravelling. The Labour Force Survey 2025 paints a stark, disheartening picture: education has slipped from a reliable pathway to opportunity, morphing instead into a bitter irony. Across the nation, countless educated individuals find themselves in a frustrating struggle to secure meaningful employment. Those lacking formal education are often resigned to enduring exploitative and hazardous working conditions. This glaring disconnect underscores the profound flaws and imbalances that have taken root within our economic and educational systems, revealing a landscape where aspiration and reality are painfully at odds.

The survey reveals a striking yet unsettling fact: individuals with little to no formal education experience unemployment rates of 4.7 percent for those entirely uneducated and 6.2 percent for those who have not completed their matriculation. At first glance, these statistics may appear somewhat promising, suggesting some job stability. However, closer inspection uncovers a far more troubling narrative. These workers often find themselves trapped in menial, hazardous positions, forced to navigate the perils of low-wage work with little chance of advancement. This grim landscape is not born of choice or ambition, but rather dire necessity. It is a stark reminder that for many, the world of work offers no real opportunity, only the harsh compulsion to survive.

Employment for the uneducated often comes at a high cost, stripping away their dignity, safety and well-being. They endure long hours with little respect from employers, working in hazardous conditions without training or protective gear. Injuries are common. Without medical coverage, they remain vulnerable. A fitting example is sewerage and mining workers, who often risk their lives without proper safety measures. While their labour may lower unemployment statistics, it unveils a harsh reality of exploitation. Alongside this, the cycle of poverty ensnares their children, denying them education and trapping families in a generational struggle.

While individuals lacking formal education find themselves trapped in perilous and precarious informal jobs, the ranks of the educated are grappling with an alarming rise in unemployment. Those with intermediate qualifications face an astonishing unemployment rate of 12.6 per cent, making them the most affected group among all levels of education. Bachelor’s degree holders contend with a 10.9 per cent unemployment rate. Those with advanced degrees, i.e., master’s, MPhil or PhD, face 11.7 per cent unemployment. This striking reversal of global employment trends highlights a significant disconnect between Pakistan’s education system and the reality of its economic landscape. The expectation that higher qualifications should lead to improved job opportunities is persistently shattered, revealing a disheartening mismatch that leaves many qualified individuals without suitable employment.

This rising unemployment among the educated population is closely linked to Pakistan’s underdeveloped industrial and technological sectors. The country faces a significant shortage of high-tech companies, advanced manufacturing facilities, research centres and innovation-driven industries that can employ engineers, scientists, IT graduates and other skilled professionals. The lack of strong research and development infrastructure, along with minimal investment in emerging sectors, creates a restrictive economic environment with very few opportunities for the country’s most talented individuals. As a result, many graduates end up unemployed or underemployed or are forced to seek better opportunities abroad where their skills are more valued and utilised.

The LFS 2025 reveals more than just unemployment figures; it narrates the story of a nation grappling with fragile foundations, disjointed systems and misplaced priorities. It depicts a society where the uneducated are exploited, the educated face setbacks and women remain marginalised.

Layered onto the unemployment issue is a sharp gender divide, exposing clear disparities in the labour market. Women experience significantly higher unemployment rates across all education levels. For those with a high school diploma, 16.6 per cent of women are unemployed compared to 7.3 per cent of men. This gap widens among bachelor’s degree holders, with female unemployment at 24.1 per cent compared to 7 per cent for men. Among individuals with advanced degrees like master’s or PhDs, female unemployment is at a startling 24 per cent, nearly four times that of men. These differences reveal not just limited opportunities but also persistent cultural barriers, workplace biases, safety concerns and a lack of supportive, gender-responsive workplaces.

These arrays of crises, from exploiting the uneducated to widespread unemployment among the educated and deep-rooted gender inequality, stem from a key national weakness: the country has failed to build strong economic and educational foundations. While many nations have moved toward cohesive, innovation-focused systems that encourage creativity and adaptability, Pakistan remains stuck in outdated structures that emphasise rote memorisation over practical skills. This old-fashioned approach produces degree holders who are unprepared for the job market, continuing a cycle of underemployment and hindering the country’s growth and potential.

Pakistan’s educational system is highly fragmented. This is a significant weakness. From an early age, students are focused on narrow academic tracks, limiting broad thinking. Engineers are concentrated in specialised engineering universities, scientists in science institutes, commerce students in business schools and arts enthusiasts in separate campuses. This isolation fosters intellectual silos, limiting cross-disciplinary collaboration and impeding innovation, which are essential in today’s fast-changing economies. Instead of nurturing adaptable problem solvers equipped to meet modern industry demands, the system often produces graduates trapped in rigid boundaries, diminishing their capacity to adapt to shifting job-market needs.

This lack of interdisciplinary culture, combined with insufficient investment in high-tech industries, limits Pakistan’s opportunities. The country has not developed advanced sectors such as robotics, biotechnology, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology or modern manufacturing. Without these industries, there is no ecosystem to absorb the increasing number of graduates. The job market remains limited as the pool of qualified individuals grows, inevitably leading to rising unemployment among the educated.

While the economy faces challenges in generating employment and industries that can absorb talent, the national conversation often centres on salaries, perks, privileges and immunity within institutional circles. These discussions may matter to a few, but they ignore the systemic issues that affect millions. If national priorities remain misaligned, Pakistan will continue to produce graduates who cannot find a place in the local job market.

Viewed as a whole, Pakistan’s labour market crisis is tightly linked across multiple factors. Weak economic bases restrict industrial growth, leading to unemployment even among educated individuals. Fragmented education systems widen the gap between skills and market demands. Gender barriers prevent half the population from fully engaging in the economy. Insufficient worker protections force uneducated workers into risky jobs. A lack of innovation hampers the development of new sectors and opportunities. Together, these problems create a cycle that keeps the country in a state of stagnation.

Pakistan must address every aspect of this complex crisis to build a future where education, safety and opportunity are closely connected. Achieving this vision requires a unified national effort to break old habits and develop innovative systems that better serve the people. The road ahead involves strengthening educational foundations, ensuring that all children have access to quality learning and encouraging industries based on creativity and innovation. It is crucial to put protective measures in place for vulnerable workers, safeguarding their rights and well-being and creating an environment where women can work safely and freely. Additionally, a fundamental shift in national priorities is necessary, with a focus on sustainable growth and inclusive development for all citizens.

The LFS 2025 reveals more than just unemployment figures; it narrates the story of a nation grappling with fragile foundations, disjointed systems and misplaced priorities. It depicts a society where the uneducated are exploited, the educated face setbacks and women remain marginalised. Every statistic underscores a clear message: Pakistan must fundamentally change how it educates, employs and safeguards its citizens. The country’s choice between reform and stagnation will determine if future generations find opportunity or continue in a cycle of decline and hardship.

The writer is lead statistician at Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the organisation’s official stance. He can be reached at [email protected] tweets @kazmi_m