ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called for the urgent formulation of a national strategy to address Pakistan’s rapid population growth, warning that without coordinated planning, rising numbers could strain the country’s resources and economic development.
Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world, is grappling with a population crisis that threatens to outpace its economic growth, social services, and infrastructure. With over 240 million people and an annual growth rate of 2.55 percent, one of the highest in the region, the country faces mounting pressure on its health care, education, housing and employment systems. The pace of growth not only stretches public resources thin but also deepens inequality and urban overcrowding, especially in megacities like Karachi and Lahore.
Experts warn that if current trends continue unchecked, Pakistan’s population could exceed 400 million by 2050. Such expansion would exacerbate food insecurity, water scarcity, and climate vulnerability in a country already facing frequent natural disasters and economic instability.
Despite past commitments to family planning and reproductive health, successive governments have struggled to implement sustained, nationwide policies. The lack of coordination between federal and provincial governments, coupled with social taboos around contraception, continues to hinder progress, turning population growth into a slow-burning emergency.
“There is a need to plan so that the rapidly growing population can be made an active part of the economy,” Sharif said during a meeting with his cabinet, according to a statement shared by his office, which said the premier ordered the formation of a committee to develop an effective policy and strategy on population management.
Sharif noted that a large segment of the country’s population was made up of young people, calling them a “valuable and vital national asset.”
“Multiple initiatives are underway to provide youth with opportunities to contribute to the national economy,” Sharif said, also emphasizing the role of women in the workforce and calling for steps to ensure they have greater access to employment opportunities.
“Women are a major part of our labor force,” he said. “Steps should be taken to provide them with more employment opportunities.”
Officials presented proposals at the meeting, highlighting the need for a comprehensive national policy, developed in coordination with provincial governments, to address population growth and its associated challenges.
Participants also discussed the importance of launching a national awareness campaign on population issues in the context of economic development.
