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Pakistan's Population Bomb Ticking: 330M by 2050?
8 Dec
Summary
- Pakistan's population nears 241 million, projected to hit 330 million by 2050.
- Rapid growth strains hospitals, schools, and urban infrastructure.
- Family planning access and women's empowerment are key to managing crisis.
Pakistan is on a trajectory toward a significant demographic challenge, with current estimates placing its population at over 241 million and projections reaching 330 million by 2050. Experts convened at a recent summit warned this rapid growth constitutes a "ticking time bomb" and could lead to a "demographic disaster" if unaddressed.
The strain of this population boom is evident daily. Approximately 4.5 million births annually overwhelm healthcare facilities, while overcrowded schools leave millions of children out of education. Unplanned urban expansion exacerbates issues like unsafe housing, traffic congestion, and failing sanitation systems. Water scarcity is intensifying, and job creation lags behind the needs of a population where 64% are under 30.
Proposed solutions include a national population charter, enhanced parliamentary oversight, and inter-departmental coordination. Crucially, the summit emphasized improved access to family planning, stronger primary healthcare, increased investment in girls' education, and greater female participation in the workforce. Successful population management hinges on women's empowerment and policy reforms.
