Pakistan’s rapidly growing population has evolved beyond a health and economic challenge and is now a matter of national security that requires a coordinated response from political, military, religious, and social leaders, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) . Speaking at a media briefing ahead of World Population Day 2026, UNFPA Pakistan Representative Dr. Luay Shabaneh said the country’s population has reached around 257.2 million, with nearly one-third of Pakistanis aged between 10 and 24 years. He stressed that investing in young people is essential to ensuring the country’s long-term stability and prosperity.

Speaking at a media briefing ahead of World Population Day 2026, UNFPA Pakistan Representative Dr. Luay Shabaneh said the country’s population has reached around 257.2 million, with nearly one-third of Pakistanis aged between 10 and 24 years. He stressed that investing in young people is essential to ensuring the country’s long-term stability and prosperity.

Dr. Shabaneh shared findings from the global UNFPA report, Lives, Choices and Futures: What Young People Want and What Shapes Their Decisions About Relationships and Parenthood. The study surveyed more than 100,000 people aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries, including over 1,700 respondents from Pakistan.

He welcomed the federal government’s renewed focus on population management, particularly Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision to personally chair the National Population Council (NPC).

He also noted that the inclusion of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in the council reflects that population management is now viewed as a strategic national priority extending beyond the health sector to include economic resilience, social cohesion, and national security.

According to Dr. Shabaneh, addressing Pakistan’s population challenge cannot be left to government departments alone. He called on parliamentarians, provincial lawmakers, religious scholars, and community leaders to promote responsible parenthood, birth spacing, girls’ education, and public awareness while helping dispel misconceptions about reproductive health.

The report found that despite growing challenges, 76% of Pakistani respondents remain optimistic about the future. However, 53% identified conflict and security risks, economic uncertainty, inequality, health concerns, and environmental threats among their biggest worries.

The survey also highlighted a gap between the number of children Pakistanis currently have and the number they ideally want. Women reported having an average of 1.8 children but said they would ideally prefer 2.5, while men reported an average of 2.5 children and an ideal family size of 3.4 children. Among respondents aged 35 to 39 who do not have children, 65% said they would like to become parents.

Dr. Shabaneh said reproductive decisions are influenced by practical realities rather than fertility targets. Young people identified financial security, stable employment, affordable housing, healthcare, emotional readiness, gender equality, and quality public services as the most important factors when deciding whether to start a family.

He added that Pakistan’s youthful population could become a major economic advantage if equipped with education, skills, and employment opportunities. Otherwise, the country risks losing its demographic dividend.

Highlighting the importance of technology, Dr. Shabaneh said internet access has become a critical gateway to education, jobs, information, and civic participation.

Expanding digital connectivity, particularly for girls, rural youth, and marginalized communities, will be key to unlocking Pakistan’s economic potential, especially as the country is home to one of the world’s largest young freelance workforces.

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