Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman yesterday called for urgent and coordinated national action to address Pakistan's rapidly expanding population, warning that unchecked demographic growth poses a serious threat to the country's economic stability, natural resources, climate resilience and human development. In a statement issued on the occasion of World Population Day, Senator Rehman said Pakistan was approaching a demographic tipping point that required immediate policy attention, describing population planning as an essential pillar of sustainable development and national security.
Pakistan's Demographic Crisis
“The global population has now exceeded 8.2 billion, while Pakistan, with an estimated population of around 259 million in 2026, has become the world’s fifth most populous country,” she said. “With an annual population growth rate of 2.55 percent and a total fertility rate of 3.6, the highest in South Asia, we are heading towards a population explosion that our available resources cannot sustain.” The PPP leader warned that Pakistan's population is projected to reach nearly 390 million by 2050, representing an increase of about 62 percent from current levels. She said that by then, an estimated 256 million people would form part of the country's labour force, making investment in human capital, education and sustainable economic planning indispensable. Without comprehensive planning, she cautioned, the rapidly expanding population could place overwhelming pressure on the economy, public infrastructure and essential services.
Population as a 'Ticking Time Bomb'
Describing the country's demographic trajectory as a “ticking time bomb,” Senator Rehman said rapid population growth was intensifying pressure on already scarce resources, including water, food, healthcare, education, housing and employment. “Population is not merely about numbers,” she said. “It is about ensuring that every Pakistani has access to clean water, clean air, healthcare, education, decent employment and the opportunity to live with dignity. Population planning is fundamentally about protecting human rights and ensuring sustainable development.”
Call for Political Commitment and Policy Measures
Senator Rehman stressed that addressing population growth required long-term political commitment that transcended party affiliations. She welcomed the existing political consensus on the issue but said commitments must now be translated into concrete policy measures. She called for stronger public awareness campaigns, greater ownership by provincial and local governments, and sustained cross-party cooperation, adding that population planning should become an integral component of Pakistan's budgetary framework, economic strategy and national development agenda.
Human Development Challenges
Highlighting the country's human development challenges, the senator noted that nearly 40 percent of Pakistani children under the age of five suffer from stunting caused by chronic malnutrition. “That statistic alone should serve as a national wake-up call,” she said. “These are the real frontlines on which Pakistan’s future will be decided.” Senator Rehman also underscored the close relationship between population growth, poverty and food insecurity, noting that approximately 42 percent of Pakistan's population continues to live below the poverty line, while social and economic pressures often contribute to larger family sizes despite limited household resources.
Family Planning and Food Insecurity
“This is not solely a women’s issue; it is a family issue and a national development challenge,” she said. “When families cannot adequately feed, educate and care for their children, the consequences are felt across generations. Women often bear the greatest burden, while children face lifelong disadvantages in health, nutrition and education.” She further pointed out that, on average, each couple in Pakistan has one unintended child, highlighting the urgent need to improve access to voluntary family planning services, reproductive healthcare, maternal health and public awareness initiatives. Expressing concern over worsening food insecurity, Rehman said an estimated 11 million Pakistanis experienced acute food insecurity in 2025, including 9.3 million facing crisis conditions and 1.7 million enduring emergency levels of hunger.
