Socio-economic Growth Threatened by Population Boom

APP

Peshawar: The rapid population growth in Pakistan has created significant challenges to the country’s socioeconomic resources, including food security, healthcare, and housing services. Experts emphasize the urgent need to control the population to achieve sustainable economic prosperity.

As Pakistan’s population reached 241 million earlier this year, the strain on its socio-economic fabric has become evident, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where an estimated 2.5 million housing units are required for the poor and underprivileged.

The demographic boom, which has expanded from just 33 million in 1950, has positioned Pakistan as the fifth most populous country globally, following China, India, the USA, and Indonesia.

This explosive growth has placed immense pressure on the country’s essential services such as education, agriculture, housing, and healthcare.

“The findings from the 6th Population and Housing Census in 2017 are alarming,” said Prof. Dr Naeem Khan, former Chairman of the Economics Department at the University of Peshawar. “The census recorded a 2.4 percent growth rate since 1998, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive strategies at both national and provincial levels to address health, education, food, and housing problems, particularly in KP.”

A Growing Concern

Dr Naeem also revealed that the country faces a shortfall of about 10 million housing units, including 2.5 million in KP, a figure that could double by 2030 if population growth remains unchecked.

The demand for new housing units is growing at a rate of 600,000 annually, and an estimated 1.1 million units per year are required to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding population.

Urban centers, such as Peshawar, are grappling with increased migration from rural areas, placing additional strain on infrastructure and services. Around 63.6 percent of the population still resides in rural areas, although there has been a rise in urban dwellers from 32.52 percent in 1998 to 36.4 percent in 2017.

Housing Crisis in KP

In KP alone, the population has surpassed 30 million, with an annual growth rate of 2.89 percent, raising concerns among experts. The increasing influx of individuals from less-developed regions has exacerbated housing shortages in urban centers like Peshawar.

Ikhtair Wali Khan, spokesperson for PML-N KP, criticized the previous PTI government for failing to deliver on its promise to construct five million houses across the country, which had been a key pledge in the 2018 general election.

He also expressed concerns over the outsourcing of public schools, which he claimed would deprive thousands of students of education.

Overpopulation Stalls Progress

Dr Naeem underscored that the lack of effective family planning and population welfare programs has significantly impacted education, healthcare, agricultural productivity, and economic growth.

“Without addressing overpopulation, it will be difficult to tackle unemployment, illiteracy, or poverty,” he said, adding that housing shortages in Peshawar have created serious challenges for the KP government.

Aside from a few housing projects like Hayatabad Township and Regi Model Town, there has been little progress in public housing initiatives in KP, resulting in skyrocketing property prices and rent in major cities.

Waris Khan, a Peshawar resident, lamented the high cost of housing, stating, “I have paid around Rs two million in house rent with no end in sight.”

The Way Forward

Experts suggest that Pakistan must learn from successful housing projects in countries like China by launching small residential developments in urban areas to provide affordable housing for the poor.

Coupled with robust family planning initiatives, this approach could help reduce the current population growth rate and lower property costs.

In conclusion, controlling Pakistan’s population growth is essential to addressing broader socioeconomic challenges, including unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy.

A collective effort by all stakeholders is required to pave the way for sustainable economic growth, ensuring food security, improved living standards, and a brighter future for the country’s citizens.