Every 50 minutes in Pakistan, a mother loses her life during childbirth—a heartrending statistic that underscores a deepening population and health crisis. A new report, presented at a national population forum in Islamabad, reveals that 40% of children under five suffer from stunted growth, while Pakistan grapples with one of South Asia’s highest maternal mortality rates, at approximately 154 deaths per 100,000 live births.
A Demographic Time Bomb
Pakistan’s population has soared to 241 million, making it the world’s fifth most populous country, with a fertility rate of 3.6 births per woman. The forum, organized by the Population Council, UK Aid, and other stakeholders, and chaired by Senator Sherry Rehman, warned that this unchecked growth is a “ticking time bomb” neglected in policy discussions. Investment in population welfare and reproductive health remains woefully inadequate.
“These figures aren’t just statistics—they reflect daily tragedies unfolding across the country,” Rehman said. She highlighted the link between population growth and economic strain: “Every 1% rise in population growth reduces per capita income by about PKR 35,000 annually. Reducing the fertility rate to 2.1 by 2030 could boost per capita income by 37% and GDP growth to 3.9% by 2033.”
Health Crisis: Stunting and Maternal Deaths
The report exposes dire health challenges. Stunting affects 40% of children under five, particularly in rural Sindh and Balochistan, hindering physical and cognitive development. Maternal mortality is acute in these regions due to limited healthcare access. According to the latest UNFPA report, only 34% of couples use contraception, with 17.3% facing unmet family planning needs. Increasing contraceptive use to 52% could prevent 3,800 maternal deaths and 140,000 infant deaths annually.
Rukhsana Bibi, a lady health worker in Balochistan, shared, “Many women here want family planning but lack access or face stigma. We need more clinics and awareness.”
Child Marriages: A Barrier to Progress
Pakistan ranks sixth globally for child marriages, with millions of girls married before 18, increasing maternal health risks and perpetuating poverty. Tackling this issue is vital for improving health outcomes and advancing gender equality, forum experts emphasized.
Solutions: Policy and Cultural Change
The forum called for breaking cultural taboos around reproductive rights, viewing family planning as a human right that empowers women and strengthens communities. Key recommendations include:
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Expand Family Planning: Increase contraceptive access to address the 17.3% unmet need.
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End Child Marriages: Enforce laws and educate communities to reduce early marriages.
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Strengthen Healthcare: Bolster rural health facilities, especially in Sindh and Balochistan.
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Engage Parliament: As Rehman urged, “Parliament must be the fourth pillar, lending legitimacy, visibility, and political will” alongside provincial efforts.
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Promote Awareness: Encourage open dialogue to combat stigma around reproductive health.
Pakistan’s population crisis demands urgent action. While provinces lead implementation, federal leadership is crucial. By investing in family planning, education, and gender equality, Pakistan can transform this challenge into opportunity.
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