Population emergency

ISLAMABAD BUREAU —Pakistan's population crisis has reached a point where economic growth can no longer compensate for the relentless increase in pressure on limited resources. The National Population Council has recognised that rapid population growth has become a national emergency. The 2023 census recorded a population of 241.5 million, growing annually at 2.55%.

This reversal points towards a failure to integrate population management into national development priorities. The consequences are evident in the widening gap between public expenditure and service delivery. Millions of children remain out of school while healthcare facilities are insufficient.

Morover, employment opportunities cannot accommodate the expanding workforce. Even sustained economic expansion offers limited improvements in living standards when population growth absorbs much of its benefits. Yet the challenge extends beyond birth rates. Inadequate female education and restricted reproductive healthcare coupled with limited access to contraception undermine efforts towards population stabilisation.

The existing National Finance Commission formula, which assigns 82% weightage to population, also warrants reconsideration. Resource distribution must encourage improvements in human development without penalising provinces struggling with larger populations. Pakistan desperately requires a National Population Stabilisation Programme to ensure accessible family planning service initiatives with measurable outcomes.

Without decisive intervention, the demographic dividend will remain unrealised, while mounting demands on education, healthcare, employment and public resources will continue to undermine economic progress and national development.