Amajor demographic transformation has taken place in Pakistan. The country is now ranked the fifth most populous in the world, with nearly 250 million people -- a staggering challenge by any measure.
A major demographic transformation has taken place in Pakistan. The country is now ranked the fifth most populous in the world, with nearly 250 million people -- a staggering challenge by any measure.
Ideally, this demographic shift could have become a dividend for Pakistan, particularly with the youth bulge comprising almost 60 per cent of the total population. However, this potential remains largely untapped due to the lack of skill development and vocational training opportunities. The gaps in this regard are glaring. The current situation is deeply alarming: a largely uneducated and unskilled population, lacking direction and vision, has contributed to growing social disorder and economic instability.
This raises critical questions about the economic vision behind initiatives like URAAN Pakistan, which have failed to address one of the country’s most pressing issues -- unchecked population growth. More importantly, one must ask: why has this issue been so consistently ignored?
The population explosion has become a central concern for policymakers, disrupting all aspects of economic planning. A large population coupled with limited resources is a recipe for crisis. Unemployment -- especially among the youth -- is rising, with no clear path for job creation or market integration. Population growth must be addressed as a matter of urgency. A comprehensive population policy must be formulated and implemented on a war footing.
The rising crime rate is another alarming consequence of unchecked population growth. Yet, there is still no coherent policy framework to address this fundamental challenge.
It is baffling that no significant population policy has been introduced in recent years. Equally surprising is the lack of focus from international financial institutions like the IMF and World Bank. Their reform programmes rarely acknowledge population density or demographic pressure as major impediments to development. Yet development requires resources, and accurate population data is essential for realistic planning and spending in the development sector.
To ensure effective governance and sustainable development, Pakistan must invest in an improved census system and establish accurate population metrics. Only then can the country begin to address its growing challenges with clarity and purpose.
Population has been categorised as a provincial subject despite thousands of reasons to account for it in the federal policy list on the analogy of other subjects like health, education, climate change etc. Before we hark on the pros and cons of the population growth rate, there is an essential discussion to emphasise the need for a federal population policy to address and prioritise the subject.
If the bicameral parliament and the National Finance Commission (NFC) at the federal level are functioning based on population, then why is the population policy not framed at the federal level? The Council of Common Interest (CCI) is the decider constitutional concept and mechanism providing resolute solutions to all disputes arising out of any disagreement between the federation and the federating units. The need is to ponder over the issue of rightsizing the population through better control mechanisms and policy frameworks.
The population growth rate is still more than 2.0 per cent owing to multiple reasons, especially high fertility rate, low mortality rate, no birth control and no planning to check it. The population density is estimated to be 331 per square kilometre. The average life expectancy has also increased to about 68 years due to the blessings of better health facilities. The commendable progress of private -ector medical facilities is providing a lot of support to address the health issues of the people of Pakistan. The only sufferers are the vulnerable communities, who can’t afford expensive medical facilities.
Where there is good progress in the medical profession, there is also a need to resort to contraceptive use to help reduce the birth rate. The family planning policy needs to be strictly enforced to save this country from beggary and destitution. Resources need to be saved for the development of livelihood infrastructure for the poor.
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), the need for large-scale labour and human resources is diminishing. It is estimated that by 2037, AI could replace up to 60 per cent of the productive workforce. A country like Pakistan, with its massive and growing population, stands to suffer greatly in such a scenario
Pakistan is a resource-constrained country suffering from poverty, illiteracy and backwardness due to rising population pressure. Pakistan has been facing funding issues owing to budgetary constraints in almost all sectors of the economy, especially in the field of education, where 25 million children are out of school right now and seriously need an education emergency to enable children and youngsters to get skill development for the redressal of chronic issues of unemployment and poverty.
The health sector is another sector of the economy that needs urgent attention for a healthy society. It’s all about political economy, demography and geography. The dilapidated conditions of the people need the attention of the policymakers and rulers at the helm of affairs, as it can play a pivotal role in reviving the political and economic strength of Pakistan providing a strong and solid base for human development.
Pakistan presents a unique case study. Investments and businesses thrive on clarity and predictability, both of which are sorely lacking in Pakistan. The absence of a coherent and consistent policy framework, particularly with regard to population growth, is contributing significantly to economic stagnation. The country is caught in a serious debt trap, with no apparent exit strategy in sight.
Political leadership, instead of providing solutions, remains embroiled in petty power struggles, while the people continue to suffer. The economy has overtaken politics, and in turn, politics has disrupted sound economic planning; this imbalance urgently needs correction.
Pakistan is grappling with multiple crises: low foreign direct investment (FDI), mounting loans, an ever-increasing circular debt, unchecked population growth, minimal development and scarce resources. Finding a way to address all these challenges is a complex and pressing question weighing heavily on the minds of its citizens. One of the most critical issues is the rapid population growth, which is placing immense pressure on the country’s limited resources.
Policymakers must act swiftly to improve the security situation, which is deteriorating due to a combination of factors -- not least among them, the large numbers of unemployed youth roaming the streets. These vulnerable young individuals are easy targets for foreign-funded extremist groups. Immediate policy intervention is required, and population control must be considered a long-term strategic tool in addressing this issue.
In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), the need for large-scale labour and human resources is diminishing. It is estimated that by 2037, AI could replace up to 60 per cent of the productive workforce. A country like Pakistan, with its massive and growing population, stands to suffer greatly in such a scenario.
The urgent need of the hour is to confront the issue of unchecked population growth. Greater emphasis must be placed on strengthening access to contraceptives, backed by robust policy frameworks at both federal and provincial levels. Moreover, implementation mechanisms must be reinforced. Gaps between policy and execution need to be identified and addressed without delay.
Pakistan is facing population control challenges on multiple fronts, ranging from widespread ignorance and illiteracy to the absence of a clear and consistent narrative on the issue. However, the central question remains: why have policymakers continued to show such reluctance in formulating an effective strategy to address this pressing concern?
One of the significant obstacles in the past has been the role of clerics and religious leaders, many of whom oppose family planning. However, it is crucial to revisit and reframe the conversation around population control. Birth control is neither un-Islamic nor contrary to religious principles.
In fact, several Muslim-majority countries -- including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh -- have successfully implemented family planning policies. Religious scholars in these nations have not deemed such policies to be against Islamic teachings. Pakistan must learn from these examples and work towards building a balanced, faith-aligned narrative that supports responsible population management.
The writer is a former additional secretary. He can be reached at: hassanbaig2009@gmail.com
