Karachi, 22 June 2023 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pakistan launched the 2023 State of World Population (SWOP) report, titled ‘8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities: The Case for Rights and Choices,’ in Karachi.
The global flagship report, released in April 2023, provides insights into population growth, fertility rates, reproductive health, family planning, and migration worldwide.
The SWOP report emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals and cautions against using family planning as a means to achieve fertility targets. It advocates for women’s autonomy in deciding if, when, and how many children they want to have. In Sindh, with an average annual growth rate of 2.41 percent, the current population stands at 56.3 million (2022), projected to reach 95.7 million by 2050.
According to the report, Pakistan is one of the eight countries expected to contribute to half of the global population growth by 2050, alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, and the USA. With a current estimated population of 240.5 million, Pakistan is projected to reach 403 million by 2050.
The launch event took place at SZABIST, with Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Sindh Minister for Population and Health, as the Chief Guest. The event was attended by senior officials from the Government of Sindh, Consul Generals from various countries, the President of SZABIST Shahnaz Wazir Ali, representatives from national and international organizations, development experts, researchers, SZABIST faculty, and students.
Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Minister of Health and Population, emphasized the importance of gender equality, education for women, and employment in achieving balanced population development. She called for increased investments in reproductive health and family planning, highlighting their significance for sustainable development and economic growth.
Stakeholders stressed the need to address population growth effectively by engaging multiple sectors, focusing on reducing inequalities in education, income, employment, regional connectivity, gender, and digitalization. The report also discusses the population anxieties experienced worldwide, including in Pakistan, in response to population growth or other demographic trends.
Dr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Representative in Pakistan, echoed the key messages from the SWOP report, emphasizing the link between population dynamics, poverty, nutrition, and socioeconomic dimensions. He urged policymakers and stakeholders to redefine population narratives, shifting the focus towards ensuring individuals, particularly women, have the freedom to make their own reproductive choices.
The launch of the SWOP report in Karachi highlights the significance of promoting rights and choices in population development, urging comprehensive policies and programs that address the socioeconomic dimensions associated with population dynamics in Pakistan.
