Population Growth and Economic Development in Pakistan

Abstract

There is divergence of opinion regarding the consequences of population growth for economic development. Some view rapid population growth as a real problem while others assert that it is not a matter of grave concern. Crossnational evidence on the relationship between population growth and economic growth is inconsistent because the underlying parameters and assumptions vary across countries. Country-specific studies are more useful for illuminating unique features of a country. In this article, I examine Pakistan's case of population growth and economic development. Between 1950-2001, Pakistan's population increased 430 percent. Multivariate analyses of 1981 to 2005 data from the Pakistan Economic Survey and from the International Financial Statistics yearbooks found significant and negative relationship between population growth and measures of economic advancement. These results demonstrate that rapid population growth is a real problem in Pakistan because it contributes to lower investment growth and diminishes the savings rate. Today foreign investment and export promotion have only a small impact on Pakistan's economic growth. Owing to its rapid population growth, Pakistan has among the world's highest dependency ratios. Policy makers can address these serious economic consequences of rapid population growth by investing in family planning services. Development of independent media and liberal education in educational institutions will in time also help by encouraging a smaller family size ideal.

Gender Ratio Analysis in Rawalpindi and Islamabad: Causes and Consequences

“…Gender ratio is positively skewed which shows that the mean and median value of data tend toward right. Above results are in agreement with the study of Afzal (2009 All our variables are significant at 5% and 10% confidence interval. The probability of F-Statistics value is 0.0002 which completely explains the correctness of selection of variable (Value is not negative) and Singular F-stat is within range of 10 that is 7.55.…”

“…This shows that by increasing female employment (FE) and female literacy (FL) we can get rid of lopsided gender ratio. This study is in line with the studies of Afzal (2009). Both these authors argued that only hope for women to achieve any kind of equality in India and in Pakistan is to increase educational, economic opportunities and enhancement of social status for females.…”

“…9. Afzal (2009) suggesting that increase in the female literacy and enhancement of women social status will appear to be an agreeable solution.…”

Determinants of Economic Growth in Syria between 1980 and 2010

“…Some studies have found that population growth has a positive relationship with economic growth and this was supported by Savas (2008), Furuoka (2009) and Furuoka and Munir (2011). However, Afzal (2009) and Trang and Hieu (2011) found a negative relationship between population growth and economic growth. In addition, some of the studies such as Dawson and Tiffin (1998) for India, Thornton (2001) for seven Latin American countries, and Mushtaq (2006) for Pakistan indicated that there were no long run cointegrating relationship between population and economic growth.…”

Determinants of Population Growth in Pakistan

“…Reduction in per capita income is linked with overall access to health and education. Some other investigators concludes that population growth adversely affects the economic growth; it consumed most of our resources (Afzal, 2009). Urbanization is another challenge for Pakistan, currently 38 percent population are residing in urban areas as compared to 29 percent in 1981.…”