Role of Socio-economic Constraints in Female Education in Pakistan: A Binary Outcome Approach

The aim of this paper is to investigate different socio-economic factors that influence girls’ education at the household level in rural areas of Pakistan. The analysis is based on the secondary data obtained from Pakistan Rural Household Panel Survey 2013-14. A logistic regression model has been estimated and results illustrate that the household economic status has a positive and significant role in determining the girls’ school enrollment status while poverty affects negatively and significantly. The estimates also reveal that parents prefer boys’ education over the girls’ education and the gender of teachers is important to them, which negatively affects girls' school enrollment status. The number of children in a household-based on age and gender has a significant influence on the schooling status of girls. The father’s education, girls' age, and the households benefitting from the social safety net are also important factors. The government should consider the measures to alleviate poverty and provide pre-schooling facilities to increase the girls’ enrollment in rural areas. The government should also increase social protection programs and encourage rural households to encourage savings.