24pc educated people are jobless countrywide, Senate body told

Published September 27, 2021
In this file photo, job candidates pack the area enclosed for them on the premises of the Civil Hospital Karachi on Jan 13, 2019.—Online/File
In this file photo, job candidates pack the area enclosed for them on the premises of the Civil Hospital Karachi on Jan 13, 2019.—Online/File

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on Monday painted a grim picture of the rising rate of unemployment across the country, underlining that 24 per cent of educated people were jobless at the moment.

The PIDE, in its briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development meeting chaired by Saleem Mandviwala, said the unemployment rate in the country had reached 16pc — contrary to the government's claim of 6.5pc.

The committee was also informed that 40pc of educated women were also unemployed countrywide.

The term 'educated' here refers to those people who have acquired an undergraduate or graduate degree, which should enable them to find a job.

The PIDE officials pointed out that some educated people get themselves enrolled in M.Phil studies to continue learning as they struggle to fetch a better job. This also skewed the unemployment rate as they weren't included in the figures.

'1.5m people including M.Phil degree holders applied for a peon's job'

The officials told the Senate committee that at least 1.5 million people applied for a peon's position in a high court that was advertised recently.

"Among those applying for the job included M.Phil degree holders," officials said.

Mandviwala sought the exact number of educated youth and children in the country.

In response, the PIDE officials said that no research was being conducted at the government level, adding that all such studies were done from abroad.

They said several research institutes were operating in the country, but the research purposes were not being fulfilled.

The Economic Survey 2020-21 released in June this year had revealed the spread of Covid-19 had severely affected employment conditions in the country and the suspension of economic activities due to imposition of lockdowns rendered an estimated 20.71m workers jobless.

According to the survey, a large population and lack of proper management of human resources have also had a negative impact on the employment rate in the country.

"Pakistan being the fifth most populous country with the ninth largest labour force in the world, adds a large number to its workforce every year," the report had pointed out.

Follow Dawn Business on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Editorial

New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.
Ceasefire, finally
Updated 26 Mar, 2024

Ceasefire, finally

Palestinian lives matter, and a generation of orphaned Gazan children will be looking to the world community to secure justice for them.
Afghan return
26 Mar, 2024

Afghan return

FOLLOWING a controversial first repatriation phase involving ‘illegal’ Afghan refugees last November, the...
Planes and plans
26 Mar, 2024

Planes and plans

FOR the past many years, PIA has been getting little by way of good press, mostly on account of internal...