Pakistan Population Could Reach 400 Million by 2040, Minister Warns
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s population could rise to 400 million by 2040 unless the country strengthens family-planning services, maternal healthcare and public awareness, Minister of State for Health Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath warned in Islamabad. He issued the warning during a ceremony at the Basic Health Unit in Tarlai, placing rapid population growth among Pakistan’s most urgent long-term health and development challenges.
The minister said the scale of the projected increase required coordinated action rather than isolated programmes. He disclosed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had established a national council to address population growth and improve policy interventions, indicating that the federal government intends to treat the issue as a cross-sector national priority.
Dr Bharath urged families to consider whether they had sufficient resources to provide children with nutrition, education, immunisation, healthcare and a secure upbringing. His remarks connected decisions about family size with the practical ability of households and public institutions to protect the rights and well-being of every child.
Presenting the government’s position, the minister emphasised that maternal health was central to the stability of families and the country’s broader development. He said poor health among mothers could affect children’s physical growth, education and future prospects, while responsible family planning could help families make informed decisions and reduce preventable health risks.
The minister also highlighted Pakistan’s comparatively limited use of modern contraceptive methods, citing higher adoption levels in countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkiye. He warned that gaps in access and awareness contributed to unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions, increasing dangers for women and adding further pressure to an already heavily burdened healthcare system.
Population management has remained a persistent policy challenge in Pakistan because responsibility is spread across health authorities, provincial administrations and community-level institutions. Differences in service availability, social attitudes and public understanding have complicated efforts to ensure that reliable reproductive-health information and voluntary family-planning support reach households across urban and rural areas.
The Health Ministry separately announced that China, working with the United Nations Population Fund, had supplied Pakistan with reproductive-health and family-planning medicines, equipment and medical materials valued at $2 million. The assistance is expected to support service delivery, although sustained progress will depend on trained staff, reliable supplies and accessible facilities throughout the country.
A population approaching 400 million would have major consequences for Pakistan’s hospitals, schools, labour market, housing, water resources and food systems. Faster growth could make it more difficult for economic development and public spending to keep pace with demand, particularly in areas where basic services are already stretched.
The government’s next steps are expected to centre on activating the national council, improving maternal and reproductive healthcare and expanding public communication on responsible family planning. The effectiveness of the initiative will ultimately depend on coordination between federal and provincial authorities, regular monitoring of results and the availability of respectful, voluntary services for families in every region.