Pakistan is all set to make another record in population growth. It is projected to become the world’s fifth most populous country. Of this, large segments will continue to live below the poverty line.
At present, Pakistan is currently the sixth most populous country in the world. It has the highest population growth rate among SAARC countries at 2.3%. This means an addition of 3.6 million people every year. The number of Pakistanis will reach a whopping 210.13 million by 2020. If that is not all, the population is predicted to double in size in the next 34 years.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani is likely to talk about population-related problems today at the National Population Convention on Monday on the occasion of World Population Day.
Historically, the government has not taken the issue seriously. Its population has increased from 32.5 million to 177.1 million during 1947 to 2011. According to the first census in 1951, the population of the four provinces was recorded as 33.7 million and in 1998 it was 132 million, reflecting a quadruple increase in the size of population during 1951-1998.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) Representative Rabbi Royan expressed concern regarding the ever-rising population. The UN representative further said that educating the youth on use of contraception was a clinical step to control growth.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2011.
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Pakistan and Indonesia are facing the same problem, fast growing of population that bears a lot problems: unemployment, food scarcity, poor education, fast destruction of environment, criminals, exploitation of natural resources, etc. The former successful of Family Planning in Suharto's administration is just past history. Current population of 241milions (Est.per June 2011) is a serious threat, but the government does not take it into account.
@Dr; So very true! Indian jobs are at the cost of American jobs.
Who says that the production sector in Pakistan is not flourishing? And we are very proud of it!
@W: India should stop selling its "largest democracy" product to the world. They have the highest population of people living under the poverty line. Every year increasing number of farmers commit suicide. They should be more concerned about improving the lot of their people. Moreover, India's progress (whatever it is) depends largely upon the US outsourcing because of cheap labor in India. India will go down the toilet once US stops giving work to India.
@Dr: well dont they die of hunger and disease today?funny that somehow u pakis believe that ur country is somekind of a developed economy where people dont live in poverty.
Large - poor - illiterate - xenophobic - and nuclear ----- great recipe for disaster.
Guess what? Now Pakistan will be able to call itself the 5th largest democracy in the world, just like India calling itself based on its population explosion!
Pakistan is on its way to becoming a "Super Slum" if present uneducated and personal agenda leadership keeps ruling. Empty slogans and useless rhetoric to keep the masses silent will keep working in a illiterate society.
Good! So Pakistan is not just competing with India in arms but now also wants to out beat it in population. Great going guys.
@Bangash: "Pakistan on its way to becoming a superpower." LOL
you have a gr8 sense of humor!! i cant stop laughingh
Great opportunity for Pakistan to do massive recruitment in the Arm forces and law enforcement and turn this into positive. Also open educational institutions to have more doctors and engineers and scientists. Man power is an asset and a responsible government can really tap on it and take advantage of this.
This is scary. We need to promote education and cut back on defense so that we can lower the birth rate. This population growth is going to be a disaster unless we educate people.
Pakistan on its way to becoming a superpower.
Govt should seriously think of introducing a two child policy!
@Ashok: It will start shrinking because people will start dying because of hunger and disease.
@Shafique:
Well said! High Population is not bad, if all the citizens are well eductaed, productively employed. In years to come, due to reducing population, today's developed countries will need lot of goods and services manufactured in Asian nation. Hence, countries like India, china, Pakistan, Bangaldesh, indonesia etc. will be required to improve it's human capital and to do that huge investment in modern education sector is required and also children during thier formative age will be required to be insulated from hate and fanatics.
countries like India, china, Bangaldesh and Indonesia has taken taken few modest steps in this direction, now it is time for pakistan to cut defence expenditure and invest in education. with nuclear bomb in hand you do not need to spend so much on conventional defence resources.
good yar... now thats an asset !! look at the amount of potential 70 % youth and human resource,, we can outburst the world
With lack of infrastructure and jobs, this is going to be terrible. The Govt is almost bankrupt and unable to spend on welfare. If jobs and welfare programs are not created, increased population will be a huge cost and is to be discouraged to the extent possible. Where will the govt provide for food, shelter and healthcare when it does not have the means to deliver. This is complete bad news and failure of govt and lack of vision!