Pakistan population is growing rapidly at a 2.4% annual rate, thanks to a high birth rate and low death rates. Rapid urbanization and dramatic social changes have contributed to this growth. However, the rapid growth of the population is creating some problems. Here are some of these problems: High fertility rate, urbanization, and water crisis.
High fertility rate
According to Pakistan’s recent population census, the country will have 228,037,618 people on 1 January 2022, an increase of 4.10 percent compared to the previous year. This growth rate will increase the country’s population by around six million people. According to the statistics, the country’s sex ratio will be 1.033, with 1033 males for every 1,000 females. This ratio is significantly higher than the global average of 1,016 males for every 1,000 females.
The population growth in this region will result in a population growth rate of about 2.3 children per woman. The population of Bangladesh is currently the third-fastest-growing region, with a high fertility rate of 2.3 children per woman. Other countries in the region are India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan. By 2050, the population in these countries will double.
According to the United Nations, the world population is forecast to reach 10.4 billion people. The “medium” scenario suggests that population growth in the developing world will be the most rapid. The population of the world is expected to peak at 9.7 billion people in 2050 and 10.4 billion people by 2100.
One of the biggest obstacles to reducing fertility in Pakistan is the low status of women. Few women in the country have higher education levels or professional jobs. And only about one-fourth of the women in Pakistan are aware of contraception. In addition to these problems, the country’s family size and composition also contribute to the high fertility rate. Moreover, Pakistanis traditionally prefer male offspring and are opposed to family planning programs. These factors also hinder the success of Pakistan’s family planning program.
Another problem is Pakistan’s urbanization rate. The country has seven metropolises with more than one million inhabitants. Two of these metropolises have the highest urbanisation rates. Despite this, over 130 million of its people live in rural areas.
Rapid urbanization
Pakistan is a rapidly urbanizing nation. Increasing numbers of urban residents will impact governmental stability and reform, electoral politics, and the security challenges that face the nation. The government is taking steps to prepare for this change. However, this rapid urbanization is a complex challenge, and it is not yet clear how best to address it.
The main drivers of rapid urbanization are high birth rates and migration from rural areas. Those who move to the city look for better jobs and access to basic services. As a result, urban populations have swollen dramatically in Pakistan’s largest cities. Yet, many of these cities struggle to deliver public services and create productive jobs, and urban poverty is on the rise.
To meet this challenge, the government must focus on policies and governance. These policies should address employment, transportation, education, housing, and public health. They should be sustainable and implementable. Furthermore, urban governance must be efficient, transparent, and participatory. In addition, social justice must be addressed.
Another major challenge to urban resilience in Pakistan is climate change. Climate change is a global threat that affects nearly every country. It has direct and indirect impacts, such as heatwaves and storms. It also increases the risk of water-borne diseases and damages infrastructure. It also increases the risk of natural disasters, which is a serious concern for Pakistan.
The rapid urbanization of Pakistan’s cities has caused many challenges. Despite these challenges, cities in Pakistan are likely to continue to engulf surrounding localities and welcome new permanent migrants from the rural areas. There are several strategies and policies for promoting resilient urbanization in Pakistan.
Water crisis
In Pakistan, there are two pressing challenges: water scarcity and climate change. The first is to improve access to clean, safe water. Pakistan’s water supply is unevenly distributed across provinces and cities, and this has compromised cleanliness campaigns. Moreover, water shortages have made the country vulnerable to heatstrokes and droughts. Currently, 58% of Pakistan’s households do not have access to clean water, while only 22% do. This has put the lives of millions of young children in danger.
The second challenge is to protect Pakistan’s agriculture from the devastating effects of climate change. The country’s arid climate combined with extreme weather conditions have created a toxic mix. Farmers like Baksh have been displaced and their fields have been inundated. Water-stressed crops are being destroyed, and water levels are threatening to rise.
Pakistan currently has a water shortage problem, which is threatening its economy and the health of its citizens. According to the International Monetary Fund, Pakistan is the third most water-scarce country in the world. It is estimated that poor water management costs the country 4% of its GDP. This problem affects many sectors of the economy, particularly the agriculture sector. The country’s irrigation system is inefficient and causes 60% of water loss.
Water scarcity is also a health system problem. It can lead to deadly diarrheal diseases. Furthermore, overuse of agricultural pesticides threatens the safety of food. Water scarcity is also linked to food insecurity, which can lead to poor physical and mental health and chronic diseases. By 2025, two-thirds of the world’s population will experience water shortage.
There are two main problems that are contributing to this water crisis in Pakistan. One is corruption, while the other is floods. Both can impact access to clean water and decrease government credibility.
Economic impact of population growth
Pakistan’s population is projected to double by 2022. Although the country has a huge economic potential, it struggles to address the growing inequality in its society and provide opportunities for its young people. For example, in 2018, 60% of Pakistan’s population was under the age of 30, compared with 58% in 2015. By contrast, the country’s Human Development Index ranking fell two spots to 154 in 2020. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), a recent survey showed that twenty-four percent of the population lives below the national poverty line in 2020. According to the UNDP, this number rises to thirty-four percent in 2022, with a much larger gap between the sexes.
Pakistan’s bureaucratic structure was originally established as a result of colonial rule, and while it was fairly powerful and autonomous after independence, it has since degenerated into a bloated, archaic system that has been compromised by party politics and powerful social interest groups. The lack of transparency in the government has caused some businesses to go under, forcing them to raise prices or cut back on services.
As the population of Pakistan increases, the country faces many challenges, including environmental degradation and increasing air pollution. The availability of freshwater per capita continues to decline, and periodic bouts of drought and flooding have become increasingly severe. Meanwhile, widespread air pollution poses a huge health threat. With the population growing so rapidly, it’s important to provide economic opportunities to the young population while simultaneously addressing the pressing environmental challenges.
The country has several welfare programs to help the poor, but these services are insufficient. Despite government spending on education and health care, it is still difficult to provide adequate services to a large population. Moreover, Pakistan’s population density is high, with 169 people per square kilometer. In comparison, the USA has only 28 people per square kilometer.
Impact of famine
Food insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing Pakistan. Almost half of its population faces acute hunger. The United Nations’ agency for World Food Programme has provided emergency food assistance to 16 million people in Afghanistan this year. Much of this aid travels through Pakistan. Those who do not receive it will likely face hunger for longer.
A flood in Pakistan has destroyed much of the country’s crops. The worst of it was on Sindh, which produces about half of the country’s food. The flood destroyed 90 percent of the crops and created an inland lake 60 miles wide. Thousands of people lost their homes and livelihoods, and the country has been hit with huge economic costs.
As a result of the drought, fourteen million people are on the brink of famine. Approximately half of those are children. As the dry spell continues, it is estimated that an additional 20 million people will face famine by 2022. This is a catastrophe that must be prevented. World leaders must commit to increasing aid funding for these populations immediately. Without immediate action, the country will not be able to recover and the death toll will be catastrophic.
Climate change has a profound impact on the region, especially food security. In Pakistan alone, 43% of its population was critically short of food prior to the flood. The current crisis will only increase that number. A similar scenario is playing out in Afghanistan. Climate change is making this crisis a global threat.
The war in Ukraine has also caused a heightened food security crisis in many countries around the world. The conflict has severely reduced people’s buying power, and food prices have increased by fivefold. As a result, 222 million people living in 53 countries are likely to suffer from acute food insecurity.