Pakistan's Youth: A Demographic Dividend for a Healthier Tomorrow

Islamabad: With a growing youth population, the nation stands on the brink of both challenge and opportunity. Currently, over 64% of Pakistan's population is under 30, a demographic trend set to continue until at least 2050.

This youth bulge can be harnessed as a driving force for positive change, particularly in the realm of family planning and healthier population management.

Pakistan’s National Human Development Report 2017 offers revealing insights into the current state of the youth. It highlights that only 6% of young individuals have more than 12 years of education, and 29 out of every 100 are illiterate. In terms of employment, 39 out of 100 youth have jobs, with a significant gender disparity. Only 4% are actively searching for work, while 57 out of 100 are neither working nor seeking employment. The report also underscores the lack of connectivity and social engagement space, with limited access to the internet, cell phones, libraries, and sports facilities.

Moreover, around 9.45 million children are not enrolled in primary schools despite Pakistan's constitutional commitment to free education for all. At the current pace, complete enrollment won't be achieved until 2076. However, to meet the global education goal by 2030, the annual net enrolment rate must quadruple from the current rate of 0.92% to 3.8%.

To effectively utilize this youth demographic as a demographic dividend, urgent action is required. Each year, almost 4 million young people enter the working-age population. However, without interventions, the current labor force participation and unemployment rates cannot accommodate this influx. To address this, about 1.3 million jobs need to be created annually over the next five years to improve labor force participation rates and reduce unemployment.

The Delivering Accelerated Family Planning in Pakistan (DAFPAK) program, led by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), recognizes the potential of Pakistan's youth bulge. The KhairKhwah platform, under the DAFPAK program, is a commendable effort to empower young individuals with information about reproductive health and family planning. Yet, to fully realize the demographic dividend, a holistic approach is imperative.

Pakistan must focus on comprehensive education reforms, bridging gender gaps, providing skill development opportunities, and enhancing job prospects. The youth must have access to quality education, equipping them with relevant skills for the workforce. Gender equality initiatives are essential to ensure equal opportunities for all. Moreover, creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and innovation will drive economic growth.

By investing in education, skills, and opportunities, we can turn challenges into opportunities. Pakistan's youth can drive progress, healthier families, and economic growth. With concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and international partners like FCDO's DAFPAK, we can ensure that our youth play a pivotal role in shaping a healthier, more prosperous Pakistan for generations to come.