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UN Urges Pakistan to Turn Population Boom into Economic Strength

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged Pakistan to reframe its approach to its large and growing population, viewing it as a potential driver for development rather than a burden. A key editorial in Pakistan's Business Recorder highlights the need to integrate population dynamics into broader climate and development strategies. Critical reforms, including to the National Finance Commission formula, are suggested to incentivize provinces to invest in human development and service delivery. The call emphasizes that addressing gender inequality and improving health services are fundamental to turning demographic trends into economic strength.

Key Points: UNFPA Urges Pakistan to Rethink Population Policy

  • Rethink population as strategic asset
  • Integrate demographics into climate plans
  • Reform national finance formula
  • Prioritize gender equality and health
2 min read

UNFPA's call to rethink Pakistan's population trends timely; sustained policy action a challenge

UNFPA calls for Pakistan to transform its population growth into a driver for sustainable development through policy reform and gender equality.

"mark the growth as a strategic driver of sustainable and inclusive development - UNFPA"

Islamabad/New Delhi, Jan 14 The United Nations Population Fund's recent statement to Pakistan to rethink its population dynamics is timely as well as constructive, but a sustained policy action towards it is going to be the real challenge, according to a media report.

An editorial published in Pakistan's financial daily, Business Recorder, stated that the UNFPA urges the country to make a purposeful and evidence-based plan and not count the rising population as an "inevitable burden".

The UN body urged Pakistan -- having the world's fifth largest population with the number exceeding 225 million -- to mark the growth "as a strategic driver of sustainable and inclusive development".

The editorial urged the need to integrate population dynamics into broader development and climate strategies, as Pakistan's high population growth and fertility rates are linked to persistent gender inequality and limited access to quality health services.

"UNFPA's recommendation to reform how population is reflected in national planning and financing -- particularly through the National Finance Commission (NFC) formula -- is therefore significant," it said.

The report stressed developing a "reimagined, forward-looking NFC framework -- one that incentivises progress in gender equality, climate resilience, balanced population outcomes, and service quality."

"Such reform could encourage provinces to invest more seriously in human development while strengthening accountability and public service delivery," it added.

As per the UNFPA, high maternal mortality, unmet need for family planning, early marriages, gender-based violence, and unequal access to reproductive health services are major challenges to sustainable development. These are further compounded by deep-rooted social norms, governance failures, and stark inequities between urban centres and remote regions.

The report called for "sustained political commitment and a comprehensive policy overhaul" to address these concerns.

It urged to make people-centred approaches and reform population policy at both the federal and provincial levels. It also stressed the need to focus on gender equality and broader human development to turn the population dynamics into a "source of strength rather than strain for the national economy".

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The article mentions "deep-rooted social norms" as a challenge. This is so true. Changing mindsets about family size, women's education, and healthcare access takes generations, not just policy papers. Sustained political will is indeed the real test.
A
Aman W
Seeing population as a "strategic driver" is an interesting shift in perspective. If managed well, a young population can be a huge demographic dividend, as we've seen in parts of India. But it requires massive investment in education and job creation.
S
Sarah B
The link to climate resilience is crucial. A rapidly growing population puts immense pressure on water and land resources. Any development plan that doesn't integrate environmental sustainability is doomed to fail, especially in South Asia.
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Vikram M
While the recommendations are sound, I have to respectfully point out the elephant in the room. The report calls for "sustained political commitment," but in a nation with frequent political instability, who will see this through? It's a classic case of good advice meeting hard reality.
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Kavya N
"Unmet need for family planning" is such a telling phrase. It shows women want to plan their families but lack access or agency. Improving reproductive health services is not just a numbers game, it's about basic human rights and dignity.

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