HIGH POPULATION GROWTH IN PAKISTAN: A SUPPLY AND DEMAND SIDE ISSUE (P & R Vol.1 Issue 1)

Pakistan has the highest population growth rate in South Asia, standing at 2.4% as per 2017 census. Why have we failed to restrict our population growth rate close to 1.5%, when other South Asian countries like Bangladesh and India, which are somewhat culturally similar to us, have successfully done so? Whether it is a demand side or a supply side failure is a question that has of late been a subject of a crucial debate within PIDE. Two contrasting viewpoints have emerged within this debate. As Dr Zeba Sathar (Senior Associate and Pakistan County Directorat Population Council) has emphasized the failure of family planning services as the most important cause of such high population growth rates. Whereas, Dr G. M. Arif (Ex-Joint Director, PIDE) and Dr Durre Nayab (Joint Director, PIDE) emphasized on demand-side explanation.