The Knowledge Divide: Education Inequality in Pakistan

Abstract

As economic activity becomes increasingly knowledge based, disparities in educational opportunity play a more important role in determining the distribution of income and poverty. A greater equity in the distribution of educational opportunities enables the poor to capture a larger share of the benefits of economic growth, and in turn contributes to higher growth rates. In contrast, large-scale exclusion from educational opportunities results in lower economic growth and persistent income inequality. This research appraises education inequalities in Pakistan at the district level. To summarize district performance in terms of education, a District Education Index (DEI) is prepared. Further, it explores the socioeconomic inequalities in education by linking DEI with the level of district economic development.