Islamabad (News Desk): Unemployment in Pakistan has seen a significant increase, with the rate rising from 1.5% to 7% over the past decade, according to a report by the Ministry of Planning. The report highlights that Pakistan’s population is growing by 5 million annually, placing additional strain on the national economy and further exacerbating the unemployment issue.
The Planning Commission’s report reveals that while unemployment in Pakistan has surged, neighboring India has seen a decrease, with unemployment in India recorded at 4.5% and in Bangladesh at 5%. This stark contrast demonstrates the widening gap in economic performance between Pakistan and its regional counterparts.
The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics reports that the female population accounts for nearly 46% of the total population, but the female employment rate has remained stagnant at 22% for the past 13 years. Furthermore, the nation’s GDP growth is insufficient to meet basic needs such as healthcare, education, and food, making it difficult to address poverty and improve educational and health services without controlling population growth.
The document also states that Pakistan’s unemployment rate is higher than both India and Bangladesh, and the country lags behind in terms of female employment. In 2021, Pakistan recorded its highest unemployment rate in history. To eliminate unemployment, Pakistan needs to create 1.5 million jobs annually and reduce youth unemployment by 6%. The report further mentions that Pakistan’s per capita income, at $1680, is the lowest in the region, with an estimated increase of approximately Rs. 70,000 for the current fiscal year, totaling Rs. 550,000.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Pakistan has the highest population growth rate in the world. At the current growth rate, the population is projected to double by 2050. With limited resources, approximately 25.5 million children are out of school, resulting in a literacy rate of only 61%. Punjab has the highest number of out-of-school children at 9.6 million, followed by Sindh with 7.8 million, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 4.9 million, and Balochistan with over 5 million. Pakistan is the second-largest country globally with the highest number of out-of-school children.
The situation is dire, with approximately 7.7 million households in Pakistan living in makeshift homes, contributing to the country’s growing social and economic challenges.
