Population Explosion

Since 1804, the global living human population has increased from 1 billion to 8 billion due to medical advancements and improved agricultural productivity. Annual world population growth peaked at 2.1% in 1968 and has since dropped to 1.1%. Population Explosion refers to the rapid and unprecedented increase in the human population, especially in a short period of time. This phenomenon typically occurs when birth rates far exceed death rates, leading to a sharp rise in the number of people in a given area or globally. Besides, factors like cultural and religious backgrounds, and low level of literacy among women and inadequate family planning contribute to the rapid growth of population.

In 1968, Paul R. Ehrlich published the extremely influential book, ‘The Population Bomb’, which warned of a future filled with starvation and environmental disasters directly associated with overpopulation. The phenomenal increase in the global and regional population has put a great strain on the ecosystem. Overpopulation is causing food and water resources inadequacy, emission of poisonous gases damaging Ozone layer causing global warming, unendurable melting of glaciers, snow avalanches, excessive evaporation, devastating rains, storms, construction on river/ natural water channels’ beds and consequent flash floods, urban flooding, rise in the Sea water level, deforestation, wildfire and massive landslides; which are now a global as well as a local phenomenon as ‘Nature Strikes Back’(published on 24 August 2025) to restore natural ecosystem.

The Worldometer and World Population Review, estimate Pakistan’s population as of 2025 at 255.2 million people with almost 2% increase from 2024, making it the fifth-most populous country in the world. The World Bank reports that 44.7% of Pakistan's population lives below the poverty line (equivalent to approximately 107 million people) and estimates the number of out-of-school children is over 26 million for the 5–16 age group. Pakistan with one of the highest population growth rates is grappling with countless challenges. The quality of human resources is under strain, resources are stretched thin to meet the growing demands, and the nation remains vulnerable to extremism and climate change shocks. In my columns titled “Shrinking Resources” published in October 2022, a number of factors and challenges were highlighted associated with over-population vis-a-vis depleting resources. There is not much that seems to have been done by the successive governments to control the already exploding bomb of unbridled population growth.

Alas, for the affluent elite and ruling class, more population means more hungry, deprived and dependent masses coerced to be their cheap labour and voters. Pakistan’s water crisis is explained mainly by rapid population growth followed by climate change (floods and droughts), lack of the required number of dams, no use of "Hydro-geological treasure" from the river beds, missing watershed management and water pollution. In violation of the ‘Indus Water Treaty’, India has demonstrated the capability to either turn Pakistan into desert and make her suffer from drought or inundate her at will; the economic and security repercussions are existential threat to Pakistan. Without water security, food and energy security also becomes impossible. For food security, out of the total area of 79.6 million hectares, in 2025, only 22.1 million hectares are cultivated. Needless to say that if arable or cultivable lands in Pakistan are managed well with modern farming technology and urgently needed land reforms, the country can free itself from food  insecurity as well as from the multiple mafias. That is what has to  be the highest priority for the Government starting with effective control on the Exploding Population.

Pakistan's economy is projected to grow by 2.68% in Fiscal Year 2025, with GDP reaching over $400 billion, marking a recovery from the previous year's -0.04% growth. With total public debt reaching a record Rs 76 trillion (approximately $273 billion) by March 2025, which represents approximately 80% of the country's GDP. The excessive foreign borrowing has mired the country in a debt-servicing trap; consequently very little is left with the Government to spend on improving the human development index (HDI is a measure of a country's average achievements in three basic aspects of human development: health, knowledge and standard of living). 

The human population has more than doubled over the past 50 years, from 3.84 billion in 1972 to 8 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. In 1947, the population of Pakistan was 32.5 million, which has increased to 255 Million in 2025, which makes all resources and ever expanding infrastructure wanting. Methods to control the human population include increased access to contraception, women empowerment, much needed  education, government incentives to promote family planning and suitable wealth redistribution. With Pakistan’s economy hanging by the fragile and dictatorial thread provided by the IMF, how can any government ignore the inevitability of effective population control and professional resources management? 

Pakistan's population density is approximately 331 people per square kilometer as of 2025, while the world average is around 60 people per square kilometer. Pakistan has to follow a deliberately conceived comprehensive policy to control its population and mafias dominated urbanisation vis-a-vis indigenous resources. Pakistan needs to invest in improving its human resource capital through greater investments by the public and private sectors instead of raising overnight billionaires by cartels making illegal and unethical housing societies on farmlands, riverbeds, hills, and forest lands. It is universally recognized that Human dignity, decency and democracy cannot survive overpopulation. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, it disappears.