Analyzing the Effects of Socio-economic Factors on Access to Higher Education in Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates how socio-economic factors influence access to higher education in Pakistan, employing a mixed-methods approach with 1,200 participants aged 18-25 from five provinces. Quantitative data was analyzed through multiple regression analysis while qualitative insights were gathered from interviews with university administrators and education policy experts. Findings reveal that family income, parental education, geographical location, and gender significantly impact higher education enrollment, with parental education emerging as the strongest predictor (β = 0.392). The study documents stark disparities: enrollment rates of 12.3% in the lowest income bracket versus 78.0% in the highest; 9.3% enrollment for children of parents with no formal education versus 90.0% for those with higher education; and considerable urban-rural divide (56.7% versus 29.2%). These factors interact to create compounded disadvantages for marginalized groups, particularly females from low-income rural households. The research underscores the need for multi-dimensional interventions addressing economic, geographical, and gender-specific barriers to create a more equitable educational landscape in Pakistan.