Pabna had a literacy rate (age 7 and over) of 76.22%, compared to the national average of 51.8%, and a sex ratio of 951 females per 1000 males.

It took three to four hours to cross only the Jamuna from Nagarbari to Aricha river port in Manikgonj District.

It takes approximately 1 hour to cross Jamuna River through ferry from Kazirhat to Aricha Port.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines used to operate twice-weekly services to Ishwardi from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka.

Several Dhaka-bound private bus services are available such as Pabna Express, Shyamoli, Sarkar Travels, Raja Badsha, Badol, Mohanagar, C-line, Arif, Ishurdi Express, Night Star, Kings, Esha, Capital Service, Al-Hamra, Silver Line, etc.

Government-owned Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) provides bus services to Rajshahi and Bogra city.

Water transport is important, as the Padma and other rivers, and Chalan Beel wetland are in Pabna.

Pabna has fledgeling knitted fabric and handloom related textile industries.

There are several higher and secondary education institutions such as: Pabna has the largest mental hospital in Bangladesh.

[8] It also has a big general hospital, numerous medical centres, and small private clinics.