ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has recorded the highest population growth rate in the region, the detailed results of last year’s population census revealed on Thursday, warning that the country’s population is expected to double by 2050.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) launched the detailed results of the seventh Population and Housing Census 2023 on Thursday. The report provides comprehensive data crucial for the development of urban and rural areas, and effective disaster response.
Addressing a ceremony to launch the report in Islamabad, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that Pakistan was the first country in South Asia to conduct a digital census last year.
As per the census results, Pakistan is now the world’s fifth most populous country, housing 241.49 million people. Of these, 51.48 percent are males and 48.51 percent are females
“The census data shows that the current population growth rate is 2.55 percent which is the highest in the region and if it continues, the country’s population will be doubled by 2050,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan said.
The report said the average number of family members in Pakistan is 6.30 while the dominant religion in the country is Islam, representing 96 percent of the population.
The age-wise distribution of the population shows 36.47 million people are aged under five years, 97.53 million under 15 years, 62.58 million between 15 to 29 while 190.27 million are aged below 40 years.
“Literacy indicators show 61 percent of Pakistan’s population aged ten years and above is literate,” Radio Pakistan said.
Speaking at the occasion, Iqbal acknowledged that fellow South Asian countries India and Bangladesh had outperformed Pakistan in several sectors.
“We are not behind them in intelligence and ability,” he said. “But if we do not open our eyes, we will not be even counted in the global competition.”
The minister stressed the need for peace and political stability, highlighting the importance of continuity of policies for at least ten years.
“If we do not keep pace with the world, we will become irrelevant,” he warned.
