Islamabad_ The Pakistan Population Summit 2025 began in Islamabad, gathering politicians, economists, development experts, and private sector leaders to discuss strategies for managing the country’s rising population. Organized by Dawn Media, the two-day event focuses on population planning as an essential part of sustainable development in Pakistan.
With more than 241 million people, Pakistan ranks as the fifth most populous country in the world, adding 4–5 million people each year. The country’s population growth rate of 2.4% is the highest in South Asia, placing increasing pressure on healthcare, education, water, food security, and employment systems.
Youth and Demographic Pressures
Dawn CEO Nazafreen Saigol-Lakhani highlighted that Pakistan has a very young population, with a median age of just over 20 years. She stressed that rapid population growth affects healthcare, housing, energy, and education, making it essential to adopt informed policies and encourage public discussion on population challenges.
Population Risks Highlighted by Senator Sherry Rehman
Senator Sherry Rehman, chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on Population, warned that Pakistan’s population growth has crossed a critical threshold. She described unchecked growth as one of the country’s major time bombs, alongside water scarcity and climate stress.
She pointed out that every 50 minutes, a woman dies from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications in Pakistan. In addition, women spend 72% of their day carrying water in some areas. Rehman emphasized the importance of contraception, noting the Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) is only 34%, and called for affordable, easily accessible birth spacing options.
Employment and Economic Concerns
Senator Rehman also discussed the growing gap between population growth and employment opportunities. Pakistan will need 104 million new jobs by 2040 to meet workforce demands. She warned that if growth continues unchecked, the country will struggle to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Summit Discussions and Key Highlights
The summit started with the national anthem and a recitation of the Holy Quran. Sessions focused on key issues, including population growth, youth demographics, maternal and child health, water and food security, and strategies for sustainable development and population management.
The Pakistan Population Summit 2025 will continue tomorrow, aiming to provide policy recommendations, expert insights, and practical solutions to manage population growth effectively and ensure a sustainable future for Pakistan.