Among Pakistan’s many national dilemmas, one stands out not for its suddenness, but for its stubborn persistence. The country’s explosive population growth has not been treated as the emergency it is, despite its far-reaching implications for governance, resources, and long-term development. Pakistan’s population crossed 241.9 million in 2024, making it the fifth most populous country globally. While leaders continue focusing on economic or political crises, the demographic challenge silently undermines every major policy area.
Follow CPF WhatsApp Channel for Daily Exam Updates
Led by Sir Syed Kazim Ali, Cssprepforum helps 70,000+ aspirants monthly with top-tier CSS/PMS content. Follow our WhatsApp Channel for solved past papers, expert articles, and free study resources shared by qualifiers and high scorers.
In 2024, the population crossed 241.9 million. This figure places Pakistan as the fifth most populous country in the world. However, what might be interpreted as a sign of national potential is in fact a clear indicator of unchecked expansion. With an annual growth rate of 2.55%, Pakistan’s population could exceed 400 million by 2050. The state’s current infrastructure cannot accommodate such expansion without risking institutional collapse.
The demographic explosion is not new. Since independence in 1947, Pakistan’s population has multiplied more than sevenfold, rising from 32.5 million to its current level. This staggering increase was neither matched by a corresponding growth in services nor by a planning framework designed to absorb and guide this rise. Between 1950 and 2020, the population increased by more than 600%, without any equivalent rise in social services. As a result, scarcity has become a defining feature of public life in Pakistan.
Furthermore, the economic cost of this trend is becoming increasingly evident. Each year, thousands of young people enter the job market, many of them undereducated and undertrained. Youth unemployment hovers around 10%, while more than 70% of workers are employed informally. These numbers reflect not only a failure to provide jobs, but also a larger failure to prepare the labor force for a modern economy.
Moreover, food insecurity remains one of the most glaring consequences of overpopulation. Once an agricultural stronghold, Pakistan is now struggling to meet the dietary needs of its citizens. Pakistan ranks 99th on the Global Hunger Index, with 40% of children under five suffering from stunted growth. These indicators are more than health problems—they’re markers of long-term national regression.
The pressure on healthcare infrastructure is equally severe. Hospitals across the country are overcrowded, underfunded, and poorly staffed. The doctor-to-patient ratio in Pakistan stands at 1 to 1300, far below WHO’s recommended standard of 1 to 1000. This deficit in healthcare capacity disproportionately affects women and rural populations, worsening maternal and infant mortality rates.
In the field of education, the crisis deepens. The literacy rate, currently at 66 percent, fails to capture the quality and consistency of instruction. Over 26 million children are out of school in Pakistan, many of them girls, making it one of the world’s largest out-of-school populations. This education gap cripples future workforce development and reinforces cycles of poverty.
The environmental consequences of unchecked growth are no less daunting. Water scarcity has become one of Pakistan’s most serious challenges. Per capita water availability has dropped to 850 cubic meters, below the water-scarcity threshold of 1,000 cubic meters. Without serious infrastructure and policy interventions, the situation is projected to worsen under the influence of climate change.
Moreover, rapid urbanization has led to a decline in environmental quality. Cities like Karachi and Lahore struggle with air pollution, uncollected waste, and haphazard development. Lahore’s Air Quality Index regularly exceeds 200, indicating extremely hazardous pollution levels. These urban stressors are directly tied to population pressures and unplanned expansion.
The impact on governance is also significant. As population density increases, public administration struggles to deliver services equitably. Municipal services in major cities like Karachi reach only 60% of the population, leaving millions in informal settlements unserved. Governance failure becomes a self-perpetuating cycle when basic needs go unmet.
Security concerns grow alongside these administrative failures. In cities, poverty and unemployment are linked to rising crime, while in peripheral regions, militant groups exploit economic desperation and institutional neglect. A 2023 report by the Citizen Police Liaison Committee recorded a 30% rise in urban crimes, including theft and extortion. These trends highlight how social breakdown accelerates in high-density environments.
Despite this bleak landscape, there are paths forward. Any serious attempt to manage Pakistan’s demographic future must begin with investment in family planning. As of 2022, only 34% of married women in Pakistan used modern contraceptive methods, among the lowest in the region. Expanding access and awareness must be made central to national health and development strategies.
Education policy also demands a radical overhaul. Schools must be built, but they must also be staffed with trained teachers, monitored effectively, and designed to deliver meaningful learning. Studies show that every additional year of education for girls can reduce fertility rates by 10%. Empowering women through education is not just a social good—it’s an economic and demographic imperative.
Furthermore, the government must treat health spending not as a luxury, but as a necessity. Strengthening basic healthcare infrastructure, especially in underserved areas, can have a profound effect on maternal health and child survival rates. UNICEF estimates that maternal mortality in Pakistan is 186 per 100,000 live births, a rate that could be significantly reduced with better care access. Lower maternal mortality is strongly associated with slower population growth.
Water management must also become a national priority. New reservoirs, efficient irrigation systems, and a national water pricing strategy are all necessary. Pakistan loses an estimated 30% of its water supply due to outdated irrigation and leakage. These inefficiencies are not simply technical they are symptoms of systemic neglect.
On the economic front, the informal sector must be brought into the legal fold through incentives and simplified registration processes. The informal economy contributes nearly 40% to Pakistan’s GDP, yet remains largely untaxed and unregulated. Legal inclusion can provide stability, enhance tax revenue, and improve worker protections.
International cooperation should be viewed as a resource, not a dependency. Multilateral institutions can provide funding, technical expertise, and monitoring tools, all of which can support domestic reform. The UNFPA has supported Pakistan’s population control programs with over $30 million in the last decade. These resources are helpful only when integrated into local commitment and strategic planning.
CSS Solved Past Papers from 2010 to Date by Miss Iqra Ali
Explore CSS solved past papers (2010 to Date) by Miss Iqra Ali, featuring detailed answers, examiner-focused content, and updated solutions. Perfect for aspirants preparing for CSS with accuracy and confidence.
It is important to note that population growth is not inherently a curse. In the right policy environment, a young and dynamic population can be a catalyst for innovation and growth. The median age in Pakistan is just 22.7 years, representing a potential demographic dividend. But this potential must be harnessed through employment, education, and inclusion.
If the demographic bomb is to be defused, it must be done through deliberate, collective, and sustained action. The alternative is a society where resources shrink, services collapse, and tensions erupt into open conflict. Without urgent reform, Pakistan’s population trajectory will outpace its capacity to provide basic needs, leading to long-term instability. The clock is ticking and Pakistan can no longer afford to ignore it.
