By:Ch. Jamshaid Sharif Bugg
Every year, millions of families across Pakistan welcome a new child. It brings joy, hope, and dreams of a better future. Yet every newborn also adds to Pakistan’s growing population. For some, this means pressure on schools, hospitals, jobs, housing, food, and water; for others, every child represents a future doctor, engineer, entrepreneur, scientist, teacher, or leader. This raises an important question: Do big numbers really mean greater power?
Pakistan has about 255.2 million people, the world’s fifth largest population. Although its growth rate has declined from 2.56% in 2010 to around 1.6% in 2026, millions of babies are still born every year. About 61% (147.7 million) live in rural areas and 39% (93.8 million) in cities. Pakistan is very young: 67% are under 30, and nearly 60% are of working age (15-64 years).
This youth population is particularly significant. Among people aged 15-24, Pakistan’s youth share peaked at 20.97% in 2009 and remained high at 19.87% in 2024. India’s declined from 19.48% to 17.74%, China’s from 16.09% to 11.45%, and Bangladesh’s from 21.04% in 2001 to 19.11% in 2024. These figures show Pakistan’s large youth population, but numbers alone are not power. Young people can become productive only with the right direction, quality education, skills, and employment. Limited jobs, academia-industry gaps, unfair treatment, lack of merit, and injustice continue to hold many backs.
The education-employment gap is clear: Pakistan produces over 70,000 IT and computer science graduates annually, yet only 10% to 18% find jobs immediately. The NEET rate shows the wider problem. In 2025, around 29% of young people were not in education, employment, or training, the highest among major regional countries, versus 28% in Bangladesh, 21% in India, and 9% in China. Limited opportunities also drive brain drain. Highly qualified emigrants increased from 3,155 in 2001 to 22,760 in 2024–25; highly skilled workers leaving rose from around 10,000 in 2001 to 45,000 annually in 2024; and irregular migration increased from 12,500 in 2001 to 58,000 in 2023. Together, these trends show how an untapped youth population can become a national challenge.
Yet migration is not always a loss. Many Pakistanis go abroad for better employment and support their families through remittances. In my village, Nawankot, many young men have gone to Saudi Arabia to earn and send money home. Their remittances have helped families build homes, improve lifestyles, invest in children’s education, and gain financial security. Migration can create opportunities through decent work abroad and remittances. Pakistan should ensure safe, legal, productive migration and opportunities for those who want to stay.
At the same time, population pressure remains high. Despite growth falling from 2.56% in 2010 to around 1.6% in 2026, education, healthcare, jobs, housing, food, water, and other resources remain under pressure. Views differ: some see larger families as strength, helping hands, family support, and future earners; many believe population-control efforts are part of a foreign agenda. These views make the debate more complex.
The issue is not how many children we have, but how well we raise them. Every child deserves education, healthcare, nutrition, values, and opportunities to develop. Family size should reflect parents’ ability to provide these essentials. A larger family can be a strength when parents can invest in their children; more children should mean not only helping hands tomorrow, but capable citizens.
In Pakistan, economic conditions and social expectations influence family size. Families with greater resources often have two or three children; those with limited resources may have larger families. Some couples continue after two or three daughters until a son is born, sometimes reaching seven or eight children; others may continue until they have a daughter. Such decisions are shaped by social expectations, particularly son preference.
Can parents with limited resources provide all their children a good standard of living, education, nutrition, healthcare, and upbringing? When they cannot, children may feel deprived. No parent wants a child to struggle because the family could not provide opportunities. Family planning should consider parents’ ability to give every child the care and opportunities needed to become a responsible, productive citizen.
Population decisions are also influenced by social pressure. Newly married couples are often asked, “When are you going to give us the good news?” If months pass without a child, people may make assumptions or comment on their health. Such pressure can make couples feel they must have children quickly, although this is not always within a person’s control. Couples should not be labelled “unfit” or shamed for circumstances beyond their control. Having children is deeply personal, and couples deserve freedom, privacy, and respect to decide. A child should be born from responsible choice and readiness, not social pressure.
As the saying goes, “The greatest wealth of a nation is its people.” Pakistan’s large, youthful population can become a national asset through quality education, healthcare, skills, employment, merit, and equal opportunities. Families should make decisions based on their ability to provide education, nutrition, healthcare, and a decent standard of living. Nationally, Pakistan must link education with jobs, create opportunities, reduce brain drain, and make overseas employment safer and more productive.
The goal should not be fewer or more people, but developing those we already have. With the right direction and opportunities, our big numbers can truly become greater power.
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