THE HETEROGENEOUS EFFECT OF EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT ON THE CRIME RATE: MICRO EVIDENCE FROM UNION COUNCIL LEVEL DATA

Abstract

Crime seems to be firmly related to the level of education. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of educational attainment (independent variable) on crime rate (dependent variable) at a local level of union council. Data on 376 individuals have been worked through uni-variate and bi-variate analysis. The sample has been drawn through stratified random sampling to make sure valid illustration representing all strata at the union council. At a uni-variate level, it has alluded that lack of religious knowledge amplifies the crime rate, however youth gangs, an open business of drugs, weapons display, and physical fights are significant manifestations of illiteracy. Lack of awareness regarding crime, lack of formal and informal education, absence of implementation of true law and order are considered to be additional factors in the intensification of the crime rate. At bi-variate level, the study further assesses that youth gangsters, lack of awareness regarding crime, and lack of formal and informal education have been found highly significant associated ( 0.000), while lack of religious knowledge was found significant ( 0.006) with crime in society. The notable conclusion of the study is that youth gangsters, lack of awareness, lack of formal and informal education, poor socialization of children, and absence of law and order situation are contributing factors towards amplification of crime at societal levels. In the light of the conclusion, the study recommends that a uniform system of education should be introduced to create avenues for a tolerant and peace-abiding society. Furthermore, government and non-governmental organizations should introduce various economic (microfinance schemes), social (behavior change programs), and political programs (right to assembly, rule of law, right to demand services) particularly aimed at youth and poor segments of the society. Keyword: Heterogeneous effect, educational attainment, crime in Society, crime rate.