ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is set to enter 2026 as the world’s fifth-most populous country, with its population exceeding 225 million, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said on Tuesday. The agency cautioned that high population growth and fertility rates, persistent gender inequality, and increasing vulnerability to climate change have intensified the urgency of addressing population dynamics in the country.
In a statement, UNFPA Pakistan said these realities highlight the need to reframe population not as a burden but as a strategic driver of sustainable and inclusive development. It stressed that with the right investments and policies, Pakistan’s growing population could become an asset rather than a challenge.
Looking ahead to 2026, the UN agency called for a shift in the way population factors are reflected in national planning and financing, particularly in the National Finance Commission (NFC) formula. It urged policymakers to move beyond using population size as the primary determinant for resource allocation.
According to UNFPA, a more forward-looking approach should reward provinces for measurable progress in key areas such as gender equality, climate resilience, balanced population outcomes, and improvements in the quality of health and education services. The agency said such reforms would better align fiscal incentives with human development outcomes, encourage innovation and accountability among provinces, and help translate population policies into tangible benefits for communities.
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The statement also called for the effective implementation of recommendations made by the Council of Common Interests (CCI) on population-related matters. UNFPA emphasised the need for clear accountability mechanisms, defined timelines, and sustained domestic financing, supported by strong population data systems and evidence-based planning.
Despite some progress in recent years, UNFPA noted that significant challenges remain. High maternal mortality rates, unmet needs for family planning, early marriages, gender-based violence, and unequal access to quality reproductive health services—particularly in remote and underserved areas—continue to require urgent attention.
The agency said these challenges are closely linked to stalled declines in fertility rates and uneven development outcomes across the country. Addressing them, it added, would be critical for improving the well-being of women and girls and for ensuring that population growth contributes positively to Pakistan’s long-term development goals.
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