Why Pakistan’s PhDs are Failing to Find Their Footing
Despite years of advanced study, Pakistani PhDs are increasingly finding themselves trapped by underemployment. In a quiet corner of Sanghar, Sindh, 32-year-old Ayesha Junejo, who holds a PhD in chemistry, spends her days teaching schoolchildren. Her story isn’t one of passion but of despair, symbolizing Pakistan’s unfulfilled promise that education guarantees quality. Her plight reflects a public tragedy—a generation of highly educated youth trapped in a cycle of frustration. Apparently, 69 percent of the youth feel “confused” about their career paths.
Pakistan faces a critical dilemma as its education system continues to produce graduates for jobs that don’t exist, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to find opportunities that match their qualifications. The lack of suitable job openings for the educated youth is a ticking time bomb, waiting to impact the country’s social and economic stability severely.
Education-Employment Gap
The scale of this issue becomes apparent when examining Pakistan’s education-employment incongruity. Universities produce record numbers of graduates—over 500,000 annually across various disciplines. In contrast, unemployment among the educated has doubled, creating a situation where individuals with a master’s degree are twice as likely to be unemployed as those with only primary education. This inverse relationship between education and employment opportunities highlights significant structural problems between Pakistan’s education system and the labor market.
Challenges for Women PhDs
The situation is particularly dire for women, who, despite making up nearly half of university graduates, represent only 22 percent of the formal labor force. Many female PhDs end up in low-paying teaching jobs or unable to find suitable employment, leading them to become or remain homemakers. The systemic bias limits opportunities, as Dr. Samina Sohu, a bio-chemistry PhD from Hyderabad, explains: “It is assumed that women are not suitable for handling fieldwork or will not continue working long after marriage.”
Inadequate Academic Preparation
When asked whether their PhD education adequately prepared them for the job market, many scholars point out that Pakistani PhD programs are overly theoretical with little connection to real-world applications. Dr. Qurat Malik, a computer science PhD from Karachi, highlights this by stating, “I worked on advanced algorithms, but for higher positions, experience with AI and cloud computing is needed—topics only slightly covered in my program.”
This disconnect between academic training and market requirements is particularly evident in specialized fields experiencing rapid technological changes.
The Need for Reform
Pakistan’s education system remains largely unchanged, prioritizing rote memorization over critical thinking or specialized skills. Universities produce graduates in outdated disciplines, disconnected from the global economy’s demands. The issue is compounded by the lack of meaningful collaboration between educators and employers. A chemistry PhD might excel in theoretical knowledge but lacks training in emerging fields such as renewable energy, biotechnology, or artificial intelligence—sectors driving job growth in other countries.
Frozen Hiring and Nepotism
The walls to meaningful employment for PhD holders are numerous and interconnected. The first barrier is the frozen hiring in academia, traditionally the destination for doctoral graduates. Budget constraints and slow government approvals have reduced research programs, leaving many qualified researchers without jobs. Additionally, the private sector’s inadequate involvement in research and development (R&D) further limits opportunities. In Pakistan, industries largely lack a focus on innovation or advanced research, unlike developed countries, where companies invest heavily in R&D.
Lack of Practical Job Training
An absence of practical job training has been identified as a significant deficiency. Dr. Mariam Akhtar, an environmental science PhD, notes, “We have no training in how to write industrial proposals, manage projects, or communicate research to policymakers.” This gap leaves many PhDs ill-equipped to transition into fields where jobs are available.
Policy Changes and Solutions
The policy changes required to address PhD unemployment are broad but achievable. Key steps include increasing educational funding—Pakistan’s current allocation of 1.7 percent of GDP to education falls far below the global average and is insufficient for meaningful reform. Restructuring PhD programs to include applied tracks with diligent mentorship and coursework tailored to market needs is crucial. Additionally, gender-responsive programs, such as subsidized childcare and safe transportation options, are essential to overcoming the cultural barriers that keep many women out of the workforce.
Global Models for Success
Globally, numerous successful models could be emulated. For example, Germany’s dual education system combining classroom learning with internships ensures students’ transition directly into jobs. Finland focuses on teacher training and fostering student creativity. These examples illustrate that with the right programs, education can lead to economic mobility rather than frustration.
The Way Forward
Pakistan’s current academic system needs an overhaul. Thousands of bright, ambitious young people invest time and money in advanced education, only to find that their qualifications do not meet job requirements. Many leave for opportunities abroad, contributing to one of the world’s highest rates of brain drain, with an estimated 10,000 professionals leaving annually. Those remaining often end up frustrated, with their jobs and training wasted.
With the right reforms, knowledge can combat Pakistan’s challenges such as water pollution or develop sustainable biofuels. Presently, the talents of many PhD holders remain untapped due to systemic failures. As Pakistan stands at a demographic crossroads with one of the world’s youngest populations, decisions made regarding education and employment will determine whether this youth becomes an asset or a social burden.
An education revolution is required—one that bridges the gap between classrooms and workplaces, valuing PhDs as the foundation of economic development. Each jobless PhD is not just a personal tragedy but a public failure. The survival of a knowledge-based global economy depends on fixing this disconnect.
The way forward is clear: align education with economic and development sector needs, transform universities into innovation hubs, and create pathways for advanced knowledge to produce real-world results. Education must provide knowledge, skills, and understanding, integrating individuals into societal norms and fostering personal growth.
The time to act is now, before another generation is lost to systemic neglect and mismanagement. We must ensure Pakistan’s brightest minds can contribute to building a better future. The cost of inaction is too high—not only for individuals but for the nation’s future prosperity and stability.
