Today, we join the global community in reflecting on the critical importance of population issues and their profound impact on the development of our nation. The population of Pakistan, currently estimated at over 240 million, is experiencing a high growth rate of 2.55%. It is projected that Pakistan's population will reach 263 million by 2030 and 383 million by 2050. The theme for this year's World Population Day, "Embracing the Power of Inclusive Data Towards a Resilient and Equitable Future for All," strongly resonates with our vision for Pakistan. We are committed to ensuring that every individual, community, and voice from across Pakistan is taken into consideration in our policies and programs. Inclusive data enables us to identify the areas where we need to focus our efforts, ranging from healthcare and education to economic opportunities and social protection. It is crucial to recognize that in order to create an environment where every Pakistani has the opportunity to thrive, we must effectively manage our population growth and strike a balance between our resources and population size to stimulate economic growth, enhance living standards, and alleviate poverty. Our government fully acknowledges the diverse needs and challenges of our population. Equity lies at the core of our development agenda, and by achieving a sustainable population growth rate, we can address disparities and work towards a society where everyone has equal access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Pakistan has a huge youth bulge with over 65 per cent of the population being under 30 years of age. This demographic composition presents both opportunities and challenges for the country. On one hand, the youth of Pakistan holds immense potential to drive economic growth, innovation, and social progress. On the other hand, the large youth population also poses challenges in terms of education, employment, and social integration. Our government is fully committed in its endeavors of providing quality education and skills training to this young generation to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy. Additionally, we are creating sufficient job opportunities for the youth to harness their potential and turn this youth bulge into an asset. I urge all stakeholders - government departments, civil society, private sector, and our international partners - to join hands in our pursuit of a resilient and equitable future. Together, we can build a Pakistan where every citizen enjoys a life of dignity, security, and prosperity by steadfastly pursuing the path of achieving sustainable population growth.
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