Social development refers basically to the sectors of health and education. These two sectors have come under considerable strain in Pakistan due to rapid population growth. Successful development of these sectors is essential for the success of any long-term social development programmes, as it reflects on welfare and the productivity of people.
Provision of health services in the Sindh secondary cities is based on a system of (a) Basic Health Units (BHUs) delivering services such as mother and child care, preventive treatment, and referral to larger units, and (b) district hospitals.
Regarding health facilities, Larkano has four hospitals and four dispensaries (playing the role of BHUs), run by the government, with a total of 1750 beds (1990 figures). As far as staff is concerned, there are 220 doctors, 237 nurses, and 347 paramedics. Provision of basic health services in Larkano is more or less satisfactory. One of the major shortcomings is related to the delivery of mother and child care services, where at least three organised centers for such services are urgently needed. The situation is becoming critical if one considers also the fact that any efforts to curb population growth necessarily pass through the upgrading of basic health services to include this type of specialised services.
The provision of hospital beds in Larkano (with 1.0 bed per 1000 catchment population in 1990) is much above the Sindh provincial average of 0.34 hospital beds per 1000 inhabitants (1986). However, proper maintenance of existing facilities should be undertaken.
- City Block (Civil Hospital)
- Casualty
- CCU (Coronary Care Unit)
- Surgical and Medical Emergency Ward
- ENT/Eye Ward
- Teaching Hospital
- Sheikh Zayed Hospital for Women
- Sheikh Zayed Hospital for Children
Regarding education, the situation in Larkano, as revealed by the socio-economic sample survey, is relatively better off than the national average. It can be seen in the table below that women are greatly disadvantaged regarding the literacy index.
| Literates % | Illiterates % | |
| Males | 73.0 | 27.0 |
| Females | 31.0 | 69.0 |
| Total | 52.0 | 48.0 |
Source: 1985 Socio-economic Sample Survey, Larkano ODP
| Educational Level | % |
| Primary | 45.9 |
| Middle | 30.9 |
| High/Intermediate | 19.5 |
| Graduate/Post Graduate | 3.7 |
Source: 1985 Socio-economic Sample Survey, Larkano ODP
In 1947, the year of Independence, there were only 9 primary and 3 secondary schools in Larkano. In 1970 this figure rose to 30 primary and 4 secondary (middle and high) schools. In 1985, there were 44 primary, nine secondary, six colleges, and four vocational institutes. The table below presents information about the number or educational units, students, and staff in Larkano, including higher educational levels.
| Type of Units | No of Units | Enrolment | No of Staff | |
| Male | Female | |||
| Primary | 44 | 8500 | 4029 | 355 |
| Secondary | 9 | 5600 | 1470 | 227 |
| Colleges | 6 | 4637 | N/A | |
| Vocational Institutes | 4 | 24436 | N/A | |
N/A: Data Not Available
Source: 1985 Socio-economic Sample Survey, Larkano ODP
Beside these government schools, there are many private schools in Larkano.