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Michael Kugelman

Michael Kugelman is programme associate with the Asia Program at the Washington, DC-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, where he is responsible for research, programming, and publications on South Asia. Much of his work has focused on resource shortages in Pakistan. He was th...
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Global handwashing day in Pakistan - Photo by Save the Children

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Pakistan’s Population Prospects

Michael Kugelman , 28 October 2011

Pakistan’s future is closely tied to the fate of its mushrooming population. What must Pakistan do to produce a favourable demographic outcome for itself – and why does this constitute such a formidable challenge? This article, based on a new edited volume, recommends that Pakistan raise awareness about population issues in the country; invest more in human development; and revamp the design and coordination of its population programmes. It also describes the obstacles to attaining these objectives. These include abysmal school enrolment figures; widespread lack of access to family planning services; a struggling labour economy; a poor security situation; and a lack of political will. Ultimately, if Pakistan’s population challenge is to be overcome, all stakeholders must earn the trust of the population they seek to help – particularly in a nation given to mistrust and highly susceptible to conspiracy theories.