Characteristics of Pakistans Population The major characteristics of

Characteristics of Pakistan’s Population

The major characteristics of the population of Pakistan may be summed up as follows: ØHigh birth rate and declining death rate. ØRegular high ratio of natural increase in population. ØLabour force is smaller than the size of population. ØRatio of dependents, on the whole, is greater. ØThe process of urbanization is going on at a rapid pace. ØMarriage is universal which, on the whole, is not influenced by economic considerations. ØFamily is usually unplanned.

ØMajority of our people are living at subsistence level and our national per capita income is one of the lowest in the world. ØPakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. ØMore than 30 lakh refugees from Afghanistan have taken shelter in Pakistan.

Need for Population Control: The control for growing population is a must for the progress and prosperity of our poor country. As in the words of Fifth Five Year Plan: “The reduction in population growth rate will, therefore, serve the twin objectives of increasing nation’s capacity to save and invest and improving the per capita availability of goods and social services. ”

However, the control of population in Pakistan is a delicate issue in view of her social, cultural and economic conditions. It requires careful planning, determined efforts and above all education of the masses in general and of political, religious and community leaders in particular, with a view to removing their misconceptions about family planning.

The population problem of Pakistan is a case of high growth rate of population and subsistence economy which in turn are responsible for other numerous socio-economic problems. It, therefore, necessitates a two-pronged attack – Øa planned economic development of the country and Øpopulation planning for controlled parenthood. The former may be directed to the main objective of economic growth at a faster rate than the rate of population growth. This objective can be achieved through the means of intensive agriculture aided by mechanized farming and large scale industrialization.

Whereas, the population planning for controlled parenthood implies the concept and practice of family planning including family limitation. The idea of family limitation implies the consciousness on the part of the couple of the number of children desired by them and of the amount of resources necessary for their growth. Although these problems are of complex nature but require careful planning and concerted efforts on the part of planners, administrators and political leaders.