OPINION Vol.1, No.1 June 2013 - National Defence University

Literacy Rate. According to 1998 census, the level of literacy was 43.9 %.The literacy rates
increased from 17 per cent in 1961 to 45 per cent in 2000 and increased to 58 % in 2012 with a clear tilt
towards male education. However, because of the faster growth of population, absolute size of the illiterate
population has doubled during the same period and increased even faster than the literacy rate. There were
22 million illiterate persons in 1961 compared to around 51 million in 2012. The fast growth of population
also affected the requirement of educational institutions. The number of primary schools has increased
from 44,000 in 1961 to 170.000 in 2011, barely enough to cover only 79 per cent enrolment at the primary
level. The position with regards to female participation rate in education is even more discouraging which
is 55 per cent at primary, 24 per cent at middle and only 14 per cent at high school levels. The high DROP
OUT rate from middle to secondary and from secondary to College is almost more than 50 %. Another
important element is that almost 1.5 million students are getting education at Madrassas; these students
cannot contribute optimally to the national development.
HRD. Pakistan is confronted with a nominally high population rate, low literacy level and poor
skill and technological base. The combined effect is critical imbalances in the development of HR. It has
proven that the achievement of economic and social goals of the country depends largely on the fact that
how effectively its manpower resource is being utilized for the national development.
Unrestrained Urbanization. Pakistan is one of the most urbanized nations in the South Asia
with city dwellers making up to 38 % of population. About 50 % of population of Pakistan is now residing
in the towns above 5000 population. This uncontrolled rural to urban flow of population is because of lack
of facilities in rural areas and has resulted into population swell in urban centers outpacing their
infrastructure facilities and civic amenities. In all big cities one-fourth of the population reside in such
squatter slums. The growth of cities and rapid industrialization has also brought complex problems of
waste management, treatment and disposal of toxic and hazardous waste. Without a reduction in
population migration and effective urbanization management science, it will be very difficult to provide
necessary services to all the new urban households that can be expected in the next 15 years. This first
phase of demographic transition needs immediate attention.
Unemployment. In Pakistan, there were 18.5 million employed persons in 1970-71. The number
of total employed persons increased to 50 million in 2011/ 2012, which means almost 3 times increase
during these 42 years. However, during this period the number of unemployed increased over 6 times from
0.4 million in 1970-71 to 7 million in 2011/12. Regarding female employment, the figures are further
depressing, as they form only 20 per cent in the employed force. A total of almost 2.5 million people are
entering in the market every year which will rise to almost 6 million by year 2050. Such big number
demands diversity of economic base and a sustained growth of minimum 6- 7% per annum for absorbing
these in the jobs.
Societal Dependency Ratio. Statistics reflect that in Pakistan, the proportion of the population
aged 60 and over is estimated to increase from just fewer than 5 per cent in 2000 to 15.7 per cent in 2050.
At the same time the proportion aged 0-14 years is expected to decrease from 41.8 per cent to 21.9 in 2015.
Though people of more than 60 years of age account for just above 5 per cent now, aging requires some
attention since the above development will take place at a faster pace than it did in Europe. This high
proportion of adolescents requires increased investments in health and rehabilitation in spite of all cultural
and social norms of our society.
Health and Sanitation. A rapidly growing population means increased pressure on all kinds of
health services, which normally cannot keep pace with the requirement. More than half of our population
does not have access to health facilities. There is one doctor for about 1600 persons. A Nurse is available
for over 3700 people. The facilities are mostly urban based. Most of the rural areas based health centers are
understaffed and without medicines. Infant mortality and maternal mortality rate is also high. The
availability of sanitation facilities are negligible (12 per cent) in rural areas, in some parts of big cities and
many small cities adds to environmental and health problems.
Population and Environment. Environmental concerns like water, air and land pollution,
degrading agricultural lands, shrinking forests have implications for long-term sustainable growth. The
National Conservation Strategy was adopted in 1992 which provided a broad framework for addressing
environmental concerns in the country. The progress on the issue however could not yield the desired
momentum.
OPINION Vol.1 No.1 94 June 2013