Based on the latest projections in the UN’s World Population Prospects 2024 report, Pakistan is expected to reach its highest population in 2092, with an estimated 404.68 million individuals.
Pakistan’s population is projected to exceed that of Indonesia by 2048, reaching 331.29 million.
The report stated that Pakistan’s average population growth rate between 1998 and 2017 was 2.40%. With a population above 220 million, the annual growth rate amounts to approximately 5.28 million individuals.
It was highlighted that Pakistan has a birth rate of 22 births per 1,000 individuals, which is one of the highest rates in the world. Only a small number of women in Pakistan utilize any form of contraception, and the rapidly growing population can exert excessive strain on water and sanitary infrastructure, leading to millions of individuals being unemployed and overwhelming health and education systems.
According to the research, the population of Pakistan has experienced a substantial increase since it gained independence in 1947. This can be attributed to a growing number of individuals who have chosen to relocate their families and companies to the region.
Pakistan’s growth rate is around 2.1 percent greater than that of other countries in the region.
According to the survey, if the current growth rate continues, the population of Pakistan is projected to double its 2001 size in around 35 years. Based on the substantial increase in population within a span of only ten years, the statement suggests that the claim of a “doubled population” is likely accurate.
Pakistan’s present growth rate stands at over 2%, although it is projected to decrease by half to less than 1% by the year 2050. At that point, it is anticipated to surpass the $300 million mark.
According to the analysis, the world population is projected to reach approximately 8.2 billion by mid-2024 and is anticipated to increase by an additional two billion over the next 60 years. It is estimated to reach its highest point at roughly 10.3 billion in the mid-2080s.
Subsequently, the population will decrease to approximately 10.2 billion, which is 700 million below the anticipated figure from ten years ago. This is one of the main discoveries disclosed in the report released by the United Nations on Thursday.
Nevertheless, global population changes are not uniform, and the demographic makeup is undergoing transformation, characterized by swift population growth in certain regions and rapid aging in others. This highlights the increasing significance of accurate population data, as emphasized by the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA). The agency’s statement coincides with the release of a report on World Population Day.
The agency emphasized that the report should be utilized to address and cater to the requirements of individuals who have been neglected or overlooked.
On the occasion of International Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the importance of conducting an accurate census of every individual, as each person holds significance.
“The strength of our diverse society depends on the resilience of its most vulnerable individuals.” When data and other systems are inclusive of those who are marginalized, they benefit all individuals. This is our approach to expediting advancement for everyone.
The 28th edition of World Population Prospects (WPP), published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) since 1951, offers detailed demographic data for 237 nations from 1950 to 2024, as well as estimates until 2100.
The WPP plays a vital role in monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals, as approximately 25% of the indicators depend on its data.
The global fertility rates have experienced a decline, with women now having an average of one child less than they did in 1990.
The average fertility rate in over half of all countries and localities is below 2.1, which is the threshold for a population to sustain its size.
Currently, around 20% of nations and regions, such as China, Italy, South Korea, and Spain, are experiencing “ultra-low fertility,” characterized by a total fertility rate of less than 1.4 live births per woman throughout her lifetime.
By 2024, the population in 63 countries and places, such as China, Germany, Japan, and the Russian Federation, will have reached its highest point. However, it is estimated that the entire population of this group will decrease by 14 percent over the next three decades.
The global population is experiencing a gradual increase in average age.
According to projections, by the late 2070s, the population of those aged 65 years or older is expected to exceed the population of individuals under 18 years old.
This can be attributed, at least in part, to the general rise in life expectancy and decline in death rates observed in the last three decades. By the late 2050s, almost 50% of worldwide fatalities will happen at the age of 80 or above, which is a significant rise from the 17% recorded in 1995.
Population stagnation or decline is primarily observed in high-income countries, whereas low-income and lower-middle-income countries will experience a strong population increase.
Angola, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, and Somalia are expected to have significant population growth, with their combined population estimated to double between 2024 and 2054.
The population rise will lead to an increased demand for resources, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This, along with inadequately managed urbanization and improving living standards, will exacerbate environmental consequences.
Countries heavily dependent on agriculture are most affected by climate change, which poses a significant challenge and exacerbates food insecurity.
The population of nations such as India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and the United States is projected to continue growing until 2054 and may reach its highest point in the second half of the century or beyond.
Secretary-General Guterres emphasized that the fundamental principles of sustainable development revolve around acknowledging the importance of women’s sexual and reproductive health as well as their reproductive rights.
Early pregnancies continue to pose a significant issue, especially in low-income nations.
In 2024, around 4.7 million infants, accounting for roughly 3.5 percent of the global total, were delivered by mothers who were under the age of 18.
Out of them, around 340,000 were born to adolescent mothers under the age of 15, resulting in significant repercussions for the health and overall welfare of both the young mothers and their children.
According to WPP data, directing resources towards the education of young individuals, particularly girls, and raising the minimum ages for marriage and having the first child in countries where these events occur at an early age will result in favorable consequences for women’s health, educational achievements, and involvement in the workforce.
The research stated that these endeavors will additionally aid in diminishing the magnitude of investments needed to attain sustainable development while simultaneously assuring that no individuals are excluded.
