The major contribution of high Illiteracy was in

The major contribution of high Illiteracy was in

Question: The major contribution of high Illiteracy was in:
(a) economic and social backwardness
(b) political instability
(c) cultural and historical backwardness
(d) increase the crime rates

✅ Correct Option: (a) economic and social backwardness

Explanation (200+ words):

High illiteracy directly affects both economic growth and social development. In Pakistan’s earlier decades, particularly the 1950s–1980s, the literacy rate remained extremely low, which caused slow economic progress. An illiterate population lacks the essential skills needed for modern jobs, agricultural improvement, technological adoption, and administrative efficiency. This results in limited productivity, low income levels, and reduced national output.

Social backwardness also emerges from high illiteracy. Communities with low literacy rates experience limited awareness about health, hygiene, civic responsibilities, and social rights. This results in early marriages, gender discrimination, unhealthy living standards, and resistance to change. Illiteracy also restricts political participation, as citizens are unable to understand policies, vote wisely, or participate in public debate. However, the most dominant and broadly recognized impact remains economic and social backwardness, which is why the Planning Commission, UNESCO, and early educational policies consistently linked literacy improvement with national development.

10 PPSC-Relevant Facts:

1. Illiteracy slows national economic development.
2. Low literacy reduces skilled workforce availability.
3. Social issues such as child labor rise in illiterate societies.
4. High illiteracy increases poverty.
5. Literacy is linked with improved health outcomes.
6. UNESCO treats literacy as a tool for social transformation.
7. Pakistan’s early census literacy rate was only around 16%.
8. Social mobility improves with education.
9. Illiteracy weakens democratic participation.
10. All Five-Year Plans emphasized literacy as a development pillar.