Primary education for girls and boys in the Tribal Areas (Pakistan)

Social situation The long road to realising the Vision 2025

In the last two decades, Pakistan has managed to reduce income poverty significantly. According to World Bank figures, the share of poor people in the country's population has dropped from 57.9 per cent in 1998 to 24.3 per cent in 2015.

About one fifth of the people are malnourished. Child mortality continues to be very high. Pakistan's population grows by about two per cent per year. The average age is 22. Government spending on health and education is too low to ensure universal provision of services. Over the past few years, the education system has improved, including through support from Germany. However, too many children still drop out of school or do not go to school at all.

Every year, about six million young people enter the labour market. But there are hardly any job and income opportunities that are in line with international environmental and social standards and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

In its Vision 2025 development strategy (External link), Pakistan considers stable and sustainable economic growth the basis for its development. The country's elites are becoming more and more aware that there is a need to invest in education, occupational development, social protection, environmental sustainability and innovation. The first signs of this are the vocational training reform that is being implemented nationwide, the introduction of health insurance in selected districts, and the efforts to expand financial services for private parties and enterprises.

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