ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Population Summit, a two-day national dialogue on managing demographic pressures and building sustainable futures, commenced in Islamabad on Monday, bringing renewed focus to the country’s rapidly expanding population and its implications for development.
Organised by DawnMedia, the summit brings together key stakeholders — including politicians, economists, development experts, health professionals, private sector leaders and representatives of civil society — to develop a shared national vision for population management. The dialogue aims to frame population planning not as a social burden but as a critical investment in Pakistan’s long-term economic and developmental stability.
Pakistan, with over 241 million people, remains the fifth most populous country in the world, adding an estimated 4–5 million individuals each year. The country’s population growth rate of 2.40 per cent is currently the highest in South Asia, according to official figures.
Experts at the summit warn that this rapid increase is exerting enormous pressure on key sectors, including the country’s already strained health infrastructure, food and water security systems, and labour market. With the workforce expanding faster than economic opportunities, Pakistan will require an estimated 104 million jobs by 2040 to accommodate the growing number of young people entering the job market.
You May Also Like: Monument to Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin Unveiled in Islamabad’s Fatima Jinnah Park
Speakers noted that continued population growth at the current trajectory will also hinder Pakistan’s ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, particularly those related to poverty reduction, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
The summit is expected to produce policy recommendations focused on expanding access to family planning, strengthening reproductive health services, improving girls’ education, enhancing economic opportunities for women, and fostering public–private partnerships to support population management initiatives.
Participants emphasised that addressing the country’s demographic challenge requires political commitment, evidence-based policymaking, and broad societal consensus to ensure that population dynamics align with Pakistan’s development ambitions.
The dialogue will continue on Tuesday with thematic sessions and expert-led discussions on pathways to achieving sustainable population balance.
Check out our latest video:
