Intergenerational Mobility in Pakistan: Evidence from PSLM Data on Income, Education, and Socioeconomic Disparities

Abstract

This study investigates the patterns and determinants of intergenerational mobility in Pakistan, focusing on income, education, gender, and regional disparities. Using nationally representative data from multiple waves of the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLM), intergenerational income elasticity and mobility across quintiles were estimated. The results indicate moderate intergenerational persistence, with an estimated income elasticity of 0.41, suggesting that parental socioeconomic status significantly shapes children’s income outcomes. Upward mobility is more prevalent among urban households, higher-income families, and children of educated parents, while rural households and female children face structural barriers. Intertemporal analysis shows a modest improvement in mobility over the past decade, reflecting gradual social and economic development. The findings highlight the critical role of education as a channel for upward mobility and underscore persistent inequalities in opportunity across regions, gender, and socioeconomic classes. Policy implications include expanding access to quality education, addressing gender disparities, and reducing regional inequalities to enhance social mobility in Pakistan.