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Pakistan's Population Boom: Crisis or Challenge?
24 Nov
Summary
- Pakistan's population, already over 241.5 million, to reach 400 million by 2050.
- High fertility rate leads to severe malnutrition among children under five.
- Increased contraceptive use could significantly reduce maternal and infant deaths.
Pakistan faces an unchecked population growth crisis, with its numbers expected to surge from over 241.5 million to nearly 400 million by 2050. This rapid expansion strains vital sectors, resulting in widespread malnutrition, where 40% of children under five are stunted. The national total fertility rate stands at 3.6, the highest in South Asia.
Provinces like Punjab and Sindh mirror these national concerns, reporting high maternal and infant mortality rates. For instance, Punjab's 127.7 million population struggles with 5,200 annual maternal deaths. A significant unmet need for family planning exists across regions, highlighting a gap in access to reproductive health services.
Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also report alarming growth rates and high fertility. Experts suggest that boosting contraceptive use could save thousands of mothers and infants yearly, offering a critical intervention to manage the demographic challenge and its severe health consequences.
