Since the dawn of human civilisation, the world population has continued to grow. From small communities to larger ones, the human population has been increasing exponentially. In Pakistan, at the time of independence, the population growth was 32.5 million; today it has surged to 255 million. This abrupt growth is posing serious threats to the socioeconomic development of the country. More population means more mouths to feed, and in a nation where resources are already stretched, expecting population growth alone to boost GDP growth is unrealistic.
Multiple factors are responsible for this uneven growth in Pakistan. In which the high fertility rate is a major factor. This rate represents the average number of children a woman is likely to have in her lifetime. The country’s fertility rate stands at 3.6 births per woman, far above the global average rate of 2.1. One of the key reasons for the high fertility rate is the lack of education and the dominance of male counterparts in deciding the family size. In rural areas, the belief prevails that having more children brings more income, while the use of contraceptives is considered taboo.
Moreover, early marriage is another significant factor contributing to rapid population growth. In many rural areas, early marriages are encouraged, viewed as a tradition or a way to secure a girl’s future. These social and cultural attitudes continue to drive population growth in the country. It is indeed an inevitable fact that population growth perpetuates poverty. As the population increases, the demand for water, energy, food and other natural resources also rises.
According to a World Bank report, 44.7% of Pakistan’s population is living below the poverty line. By 2030, it is estimated that this number could rise to 89.9 million people. This paints a grim picture, as limited resources struggle to meet the needs of a growing population. Rapid urbanisation is another significant consequence of overpopulation in the country. Cities are experiencing a massive influx of people from rural areas, placing tremendous pressure on urban resources and exacerbating the environmental crisis. Paul R. Ehrlich, in his book The Population Bomb, warned of a future filled with starvation and environmental issues due to the unprecedented growth of the population.
Pakistan can learn from other countries. Bangladesh, with a population of 171.5 million, has managed growth through government policies and the guidance of religious scholars. China and India have also used technology and careful planning to turn their large populations into an advantage. By following similar strategies, Pakistan could turn its population challenge into an opportunity for development. Therefore, it is high time to curb this existential threat.
To address population challenges, Pakistan should invest in education and raise awareness about the harmful impacts of overpopulation. The media can play a proactive role in this effort. Media platforms (TV, radio, newspapers, internet, and social media) can educate people about the consequences of overpopulation, such as resource depletion, unemployment, environmental degradation, and poverty. Campaigns that inform the public about family planning methods, contraception options, and reproductive health services can also raise awareness at the grassroots level. Integrating lady health workers into the population welfare departments can help, as they can educate women at the community level. Support from religious scholars can also be valuable; for example, in 2023, the Punjab government decided to use the services of ulemas to promote awareness of healthy reproductive choices. Although the
The government is formulating the National Health and Population Policy 2025–2035; its success will depend on political support and effective institutional implementation. In short, the population bomb is near to exploding; if timely measures are not taken, then its pieces will hurt every corner of society.