UN projects Pakistan to become third most populous country by 2050

Pakistan's fertility rate has decreased from six live births per woman in 1994 to 3.6 in 2024, as reported by the United Nations World Fertility Report 2024.

Despite this reduction, projections indicate that Pakistan will become the third most populous country globally by 2050, surpassing the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, and Russia.

The population of Pakistan, which stood at 31 million at the time of independence in 1947, has grown to 241 million according to the 2023 census.

The government has been implementing various strategies to manage population growth, including family planning initiatives, the distribution of contraceptives, and educational campaigns in rural areas.

Partnerships with international organizations, such as the UN Population Fund, have also been integral to the government's approach. Nevertheless, cultural and religious obstacles, along with gender inequality and restricted access to education, continue to hinder progress.

Read more: Urban population in Sindh, Punjab surged rapidly over last 7 years: report

The UN anticipates that Pakistan's population will surpass 380 million by 2050, with the fertility rate expected to further decline to 2.5 by 2054.

The report also noted that countries like Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in addition to Pakistan, will collectively account for 43 percent of global births in 2024.

The UN report indicates that while fertility levels in three other countries remained above six live births per woman in 1994, they have declined to 3.6 in Pakistan, 3.9 in Ethiopia, and 4.4 in Nigeria by 2024, forecasting a continued global decline in fertility rates, although countries like Pakistan will still maintain rates above replacement levels.