- Universities continue producing graduates each year, but the economy cannot generate enough jobs in Pakistan
Education is widely considered the key to national development and the guarantee of a brighter future. Higher education, in particular, has traditionally been viewed as a driving force for economic growth and social advancement. In Pakistan, families have long invested in education with the hope that it would open doors to stable careers and upward mobility. However, the ground reality is shifting. Higher education in Pakistan is steadily losing its value, and this decline stems from a combination of economic saturation, outdated systems, and changing social dynamics.
A Market Overflowing with Degrees
One of the primary reasons for this decline is the saturation of the job market. Universities continue to produce thousands of graduates each year, but the economy does not generate enough jobs to absorb them. The result is a surplus of degree holders competing for limited positions. The situation is particularly disheartening for young people who enter higher education expecting secure employment. For many, the degree no longer serves as a ticket to success but rather as a burden that fails to meet expectations.
Disconnect Between Education and Economic Realities
The problem is not just about the number of graduates; it’s also about where opportunities exist. Pakistan’s economy is still largely dependent on agriculture and other traditional sectors, yet the education system produces graduates with aspirations in fields where opportunities are scarce. Many degree holders dismiss agricultural or vocational work as beneath their qualification, even though these sectors are crucial to the country’s economy. This refusal to engage in “qualified usual doings” like agriculture intensifies unemployment and underemployment, as graduates seek jobs that simply do not exist in large enough numbers.
Reforming Syllabi — But Missing the Point
To address these challenges, policymakers often propose repatterning syllabi or making minor curriculum changes. However, such reforms rarely address the fundamental disconnect between what is taught and what is needed. Most universities continue to focus on theoretical knowledge, leaving graduates with degrees but without the practical skills demanded by the market. Critical thinking, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and adaptability are often missing from the curriculum.
Without a drastic shift towards skill-oriented education that aligns with Pakistan’s economic structure, the value of degrees will remain low.
Changing Motivation for Higher Education
Another critical issue is the changing motivation behind pursuing education. In the past, families saw higher education as the surest path to financial stability. Today, this belief is fading. Students increasingly view degrees as a formality rather than a guarantee of success. As economic survival becomes detached from formal education, many young people are exploring alternative paths—such as freelancing, digital entrepreneurship, and vocational trades—where skills matter more than academic credentials.
Opportunities Beyond Degrees
The rise of the digital economy has further disrupted the traditional equation between education and employment. With platforms that allow people to earn based on skill rather than formal qualifications, degrees are losing their monopoly as a gateway to opportunity. While this trend offers new possibilities, it also exposes how outdated and rigid the formal education system has become.
What Needs to Change
To restore the value of higher education, reforms must move beyond cosmetic syllabus changes. Universities should redesign their programs to emphasize practical skills, entrepreneurship, and innovation while also connecting with industries—including agriculture and emerging digital sectors. Graduates should be encouraged to see opportunities in fields they might currently overlook, aligning personal aspirations with national economic needs.
Furthermore, society must broaden its perception of success. Instead of valuing degrees as mere status symbols, Pakistan must begin to value skills, creativity, and adaptability as the true indicators of potential.
Conclusion
The crisis of higher education in Pakistan stems from more than just unemployment or outdated syllabi; it arises from a system that has lost its alignment with economic realities. The reluctance of graduates to participate in sectors like agriculture, despite their economic relevance, reflects a deeper disconnect between education and the nation’s needs. If Pakistan is to revive the value of higher education, it must rethink both what it teaches and why education is pursued. Without such changes, degrees will continue to multiply while opportunities remain scarce, and the promise of education as a driver of progress will remain unfulfilled.
The author is a Pakistani researcher, writer, and socio-political analyst contributing to Pakistan & Gulf Economist and Daily The Spokesman. He focuses on economics, governance, foreign policy, and regional affairs. He is affiliated with the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development and Research (PAIDAR) and the Pakistan Institute of China Studies (PICS).