Explain the social, educational, economic and political factors

which contribute to population growth

over time

Population growth occurs when birth rates exceed death rates over time, leading to natural
increase. A country’s social, educational, economic, and political context heavily influences
its population dynamics. Each factor affects fertility, mortality, and migration patterns, and
leads to a series of short- and long-term impacts on development, services, and the
environment.

1️⃣Social Factors

a) Cultural and Religious Beliefs

In many countries, especially LICs (e.g., Niger, Pakistan), having large families is
seen as normal or desirable, often due to cultural pride or religious beliefs that view
children as blessings or economic assets.

🔗 Impact:

 High fertility rates lead to rapid natural population increase.

 Overcrowding in homes and cities → spread of diseases, growth of slums.
 Public services such as education, water supply, and sanitation become overwhelmed.

b) High Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

In places with weak healthcare systems (e.g., Afghanistan), parents may have more
children as a form of insurance in case some do not survive.

🔗 Impact:

 This maintains high birth rates, even if mortality begins to fall.

 Larger families stretch limited resources → children receive less education, nutrition,
and healthcare.
 Slows progress in reducing population growth and delays demographic transition.

c) Early Marriage

In rural areas (e.g., Ethiopia, parts of India), girls often marry young, which
lengthens their reproductive lifespan.

🔗 Impact:

 Early motherhood leads to more children per woman.

 Overwhelms school systems with young dependents.
 Girls often drop out of school → less female empowerment → perpetuates the cycle.

2.Educational Factors

a) Low Female Literacy

In countries where girls don’t finish school (e.g., Chad, Nigeria), women may lack
awareness or control over reproduction.

🔗 Impact:

 Low education leads to high fertility rates.

 Fewer women in the workforce → slower economic development.
 Health outcomes worsen due to frequent pregnancies and limited maternal education.

b) Lack of Awareness/Access to Contraception

In areas without proper sex education or cultural openness to contraception (e.g.,
Philippines), many pregnancies are unplanned.

🔗 Impact:

 More unplanned births → rapid population increase.

 Teenage pregnancies rise → more dropouts → unskilled workforce.
 Increased poverty, hunger, and pressure on childcare and schooling systems.

3️⃣Economic Factors

c) Children as Economic Assets

In rural/agricultural economies (e.g., Bangladesh), children help with farming, water
collection, and household chores.

🔗 Impact:

 Families are incentivized to have many children for labour support.

 Leads to land fragmentation and environmental degradation.
 Lowers long-term productivity → poverty remains widespread.

d) Lack of Social Security / Pensions

In countries without pensions (e.g., Nepal), parents rely on children for support in old
age.

🔗 Impact:

 Families intentionally have more children to secure their future.

 This keeps birth rates high → more dependents → slows down savings and investment.
 Cycle of poverty and underdevelopment is reinforced.

e) Improved Healthcare and Nutrition

As countries develop, they invest in better hospitals, clean water, and nutrition
programs (e.g., Kenya).

🔗 Impact:
 Death rates fall faster than birth rates → population boom.
 Longer life expectancy increases dependency ratios over time.
 Cities struggle to provide enough housing, jobs, and water → growth of informal
settlements.

4️⃣Political Factors

f) Pro-natalist Policies
Some countries (e.g., France, Singapore) encourage births through incentives like cash
bonuses and free childcare.

🔗 Impact:

 Can lead to a rise in births → workforce growth.

 Without planning, it can cause urban overcrowding, increased pollution, and pressure
on services.


g) Lack of Family Planning Policies

In many LICs (e.g., Nigeria), governments have not invested in contraception or
awareness programs.

🔗 Impact:

 High birth rates persist → cities grow too fast → infrastructure can’t cope.
 Leads to rising maternal deaths, slum expansion, and low per-capita resources.

h) Political Stability and Migration

Countries that are safe and stable (e.g., Germany in 2015) attract migrants, increasing their
population.
🔗 Impact:
 Population growth due to in-migration adds to urban pressures.
 Can bring economic benefits if well-managed, but short-term stress on housing,
education, and healthcare is likely.
 Social tensions may rise if integration fails.

Conclusion
Population growth is influenced by a combination of social, educational, economic, and
political factors. Each contributes to either higher birth rates, lower death rates, or increased
migration. The impacts range from overburdened services, environmental degradation, and
poverty, to social instability and economic strain. Effective management depends on
education, policy intervention, and long-term development planning.

explain the problems for development caused by population

growth over time, consider its sustainability
and evaluate possible solutions to these problems.
1. Problems for Development Caused by
Population Growth
Pressure on Basic Services

 Not enough schools or teachers → large class sizes, low quality education.
 Hospitals overcrowded → higher infant and maternal mortality.
 Inadequate clean water & sanitation → spread of diseases.
→ Impact: Slower human development (low HDI), worsened health, and unskilled
workforce.

High Youth Dependency Ratio

 Large youth population = fewer working-age people supporting more dependents.

 Government spends more on childcare and education → less on investment.
→ Impact: Economic stagnation, higher public spending, long-term financial strain.

Unemployment & Underemployment

 More people entering job market than available jobs

 Growth of informal sector → low-paid, unstable jobs.
→ Impact: Increased poverty, inequality, and possible social unrest.

Housing Shortages & Slum Growth

 Urbanisation + high birth rates = housing demand exceeds supply.

 Rapid growth of slums (e.g., Dharavi, Kibera).
→ Impact: Overcrowding, poor sanitation, crime, and poor living standards.

Environmental Degradation

 Forests cleared for housing, farming; water resources overused.

 Pollution and biodiversity loss increase.
→ Impact: Ecosystem collapse, food insecurity, long-term resource depletion.

Strain on Infrastructure

 Roads, electricity, transport systems can't keep up with demand.

→ Impact: Lower productivity, delays, and reduced investment appeal.

2. Sustainability Concerns
Economic Sustainability

 Demand for jobs, services, and food grows faster than the economy.
 Leads to an unsustainable poverty cycle.

Environmental Sustainability
 Overuse of resources like water, forests, and fossil fuels.
 Risk to future generations’ survival and well-being.

Social Sustainability

 Overloaded services → rising inequalities.

 Possible social instability if needs aren't met.
 → Bottom Line: Without checks, population growth makes development unsustainable.

3. Possible Solutions & Evaluation

✅ Invest in Education (Especially Female Education)

 Delays marriage and childbearing.

 Educated population = skilled, smaller families.
Strength: Long-term, addresses root causes.
Limitation: Culturally sensitive, slow impact, costly.

✅ Promote Family Planning

 Provide contraception and awareness programs.

Strength: Immediate effect, cost-effective.
Limitation: Cultural/religious opposition possible.

✅ Improve Healthcare

 Better maternal & infant care → reduces "insurance births."

Strength: Reduces mortality, empowers women.
Limitation: Needs funding and strong public health system.

✅ Economic Diversification
 Create jobs beyond agriculture (industry/services).
Strength: Absorbs workforce, raises income.
Limitation: Requires infrastructure and investment.
 ✅ Rural Development
 Improve rural services to reduce urban migration.
 Support small-scale farming and enterprise.
Strength: Reduces pressure on cities.
Limitation: Often under-prioritized in budgets.

✅ Government Population Policies

 Anti-natalist (e.g., former China), incentive-based (e.g., Rwanda).

 Legal marriage age, compulsory sex ed.
Strength: Quick, measurable results.
Limitation: May face ethical or rights-related backlash.

Conclusion
Population growth can help or hinder development—depending on how it's managed. Rapid,
unchecked growth causes strain on services, environment, and infrastructure. For sustainable
development, population growth must be balanced through long-term investment in
education, planning, and inclusive policies.

rural-urban migration, seasonal migration, emigration and

immigration (including
refugees) describe and explain the effects of these population
movements, including shanty developments in
cities, tent cities and the de-population of rural areas

Type of CauMain
Movement seEffect
Lack of rural Shanty towns, urban
Rural–Urban Migration
jobs/services overpopulation
 Temporary job Rural income boost,
Seasonal Migration
availability instability
Better
Emigration opportunities Brain drain, remittances
abroad
Pull of
Pressure on
Immigration economic/social
housing/services
security
Tent cities, aid demand,
Refugees Conflict, disasters
integration issues
Outmigration of Abandoned villages, labor
Rural Depopulation
youth shortages

🌍 Effects of Population Movements & Solutions — With Linked Impacts and

Pakistan Examples

 Urban Overcrowding Cause: Mass rural–urban migration from Punjab, KP, and Sindh
due to poverty, lack of services, and search for better jobs.

Primary Effect:

Major cities like Karachi and Lahore grow faster than infrastructure can support → katchi
abadis (slums) form.

Linked Effects:

 Overcrowded living → strain on electricity, water supply, sewage.

 Families share small spaces → spread of diseases like TB and hepatitis.
 Unregulated housing blocks green zones → contributes to urban heat and poor air
quality.
 Traffic congestion worsens → air pollution rises → smog in Lahore every winter.

1. Pressure on Services Cause: Large population inflow increases

demand for health, education, and transport.

Primary Effect:
 Hospitals overcrowded, understaffed.
 Schools have poor student–teacher ratios.

Linked Effects:

 Lower quality of education → long-term effect on skill development.

 Healthcare strain → increased maternal and child mortality in urban slums.
 Inadequate water and sanitation → waterborne diseases like cholera outbreaks.
 Example: In Peshawar, increased Afghan refugee population has pushed health and
education systems to their limits.

2. Environmental Degradation Cause: Increased urban populations

create more waste, use more vehicles, and overuse resources.

Primary Effect:

Overflowing landfills, sewage in rivers, deforestation.

Linked Effects:

 Air pollution → respiratory diseases (especially among children).

 Water contamination → long-term health issues.
 Cutting down trees for housing → worsens urban flooding (e.g., Karachi monsoon
floods).

3. Rural Depopulation Cause: Youth migrate to cities for better jobs and
education.

Primary Effect:

Villages in Southern Punjab, Tharparkar, and Balochistan left with aging population.

Linked Effects:

 Population imbalance → fewer working-age people in rural areas.

 Reduced agricultural output → food insecurity increases.
 Local schools and clinics close due to low use → worsens rural poverty.
 Greater dependency on urban centers → deepens regional inequality.
 Social Tensions & Inequality Cause: Migrants compete with locals for jobs, housing, and
services.

4. Social Tensions & Inequality

Primary Effect:

Friction between ethnic and linguistic groups in cities like Karachi.

Linked Effects:

 Increased crime rates, gang violence in high-density areas.

 Discrimination against migrants and refugees → social marginalization.
 Political instability as urban planning becomes highly contested.

Solutions to the Problems of Population Movements

1. Self-Help Schemes Definition: Support for residents in improving housing and

infrastructure themselves.

 Example: Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) in Karachi

 Locals built low-cost sanitation systems.
 Empowered community + reduced disease rates.
 Evaluation: ⚠️
Cost-effective, replicable model. Needs coordination, may not reach
most vulnerable.

5. Clean Water & Sanitation Projects Example: Punjab Saaf Pani Project
– aimed to provide clean water to rural Punjab.

 Evaluation: ⚠️
Reduces spread of waterborne diseases. Faced delays due to corruption
and poor planning.
 Linked Benefit: Improved water = better health = reduced strain on hospitals.
 1. Affordable Housing Initiatives Example: Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme – aimed to
construct 5 million houses.

 Evaluation: ⚠️
Potential to reduce katchi abadis. Progress is slow; limited reach for
poorest migrants.
 Linked Benefit: Better housing → reduced disease, improved mental and physical well-
being.

6. Rural Development Schemes Example: CPEC projects bring roads,

jobs, and electricity to rural areas (e.g., Gwadar, Gilgit-Baltistan).

 Evaluation: ⚠️
Reduces need for rural–urban migration. Some regions still left out; local
opposition exists.
 Linked Benefit: Better rural services = retention of youth = population balance.

7. Refugee & IDP Support Programs Example: UNHCR camps in KP for

Afghan refugees.

 Evaluation: ⚠️
Emergency shelter, education, and medical support. Overcrowded
camps, long-term integration still weak.
 Linked Challenge: Prolonged stay without proper integration leads to urban slums or
tent cities, creating a cycle of poverty.
 ✅ Conclusion & Evaluation Most effective: Community-led solutions like OPP that build
ownership.
 Urban solutions alone are unsustainable without rural development.
 Long-term success needs:
 Balanced rural–urban investment
 Corruption-free service delivery
 Inclusive planning for refugees and migrants
🧭Population Distribution and Density
Variations Across Pakistan (With
Causes and Interlinked Impacts)
Pakistan has an uneven population distribution, both between provinces and within them,
due to a mix of physical, economic, and social factors. The eastern and central regions are
significantly more densely populated than the western and northern areas, leading to very
different development challenges across the country.

High Population Density – Punjab and Sindh (especially

eastern parts)

The province of Punjab, particularly the northeastern and central regions (e.g., Lahore,
Faisalabad, Gujranwala) has the highest population density in Pakistan. This is due to a
combination of fertile alluvial soil, flat land, and reliable irrigation from the Indus River
system, which supports intensive agriculture and attracts rural populations. Moreover,
Punjab hosts the country’s largest industrial zones, such as Faisalabad’s textile industry, and
strong transport links, including the M-2 motorway and the Lahore–Karachi railway, which
support trade and job creation.
As a result, these areas experience urban overcrowding, rising cost of living, and pressure
on housing, education, and healthcare. Linked to this, there is also increased air and water
pollution, particularly in Lahore due to vehicle emissions and industrial waste. This creates
health problems, such as respiratory illness and contaminated water supplies, worsening
living conditions and increasing pressure on public services.
Similarly, Sindh, especially the southern region around Karachi, also has a high population
density. Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, offering employment in trade,
industry, and services. However, this massive inward migration leads to sprawling katchi
abadis, traffic congestion, and major infrastructure deficits in water supply and waste
management. Over time, this causes environmental degradation and contributes to social
tension, especially between ethnic communities competing for jobs and land.

Moderate Density – Parts of KP and Central Sindh

Some areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), such as Peshawar and Mardan, have moderate
population density. These areas benefit from proximity to Afghanistan, trade routes, and
access to government services. The population here is higher than surrounding
mountainous areas due to better connectivity and fertile valleys.
However, increasing rural–urban migration and the presence of refugees and Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) have caused unplanned urban growth. This puts pressure on
housing and leads to the growth of informal settlements, similar to Karachi. Additionally,
lack of urban planning in smaller cities has led to rising youth unemployment, which in turn
increases urban poverty and even contributes to crime and drug abuse.
In central Sindh, cities like Hyderabad have medium density due to better agriculture and
access to road and rail networks, but regions farther from the Indus or without canal
irrigation remain sparsely populated. This internal disparity creates regional inequality,
where urban areas attract most development funds while rural areas fall behind.

Low Density – Balochistan and Interior Northern Areas

In contrast, Balochistan has the lowest population density in Pakistan, mainly due to its arid
climate, rocky terrain, and scarcity of water resources. Harsh living conditions, weak
infrastructure, and limited economic opportunities make this province less attractive for
settlement. Only cities like Quetta have significant populations, supported by trade and
administrative services. The rural parts of Balochistan suffer from underdevelopment,
leading to educational and health disparities and very high infant mortality rates.
This low population density also makes service delivery more difficult and expensive.
Schools and hospitals are spread thin, and access to clean water remains a major challenge.
Over time, this has led to political discontent and feelings of marginalisation, sometimes
fuelling ethnic tensions and demands for greater provincial autonomy.

The Northern Areas – A Mixed Pattern

The Northern Areas (now Gilgit-Baltistan), along with the north of KP, present a mixed
pattern of population distribution. Most of the region is mountainous and sparsely
populated due to steep slopes, cold climate, and limited flat land for agriculture. However,
valleys such as Hunza, Skardu, and Gilgit are more densely populated because they offer
relatively fertile land, irrigation from glacial streams, and are increasingly being developed
due to tourism and the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Despite this, harsh winters and limited connectivity make it difficult for people to access
healthcare and education year-round. The remoteness also leads to rural isolation, and
many youth migrate seasonally to cities for work. This migration leads to seasonal
depopulation, and over time, a decline in traditional farming and local industries. In
addition, increased tourism without proper planning has led to overcrowding in peak
seasons, putting stress on natural resources and causing pollution in ecologically sensitive
zones.

🧠 Conclusion
In summary, population density in Pakistan varies greatly due to differences in climate,
terrain, economic opportunities, and infrastructure. Punjab and Karachi remain heavily
populated due to economic and agricultural advantages, while Balochistan and
mountainous areas remain sparsely populated due to physical and social barriers. These
differences create major challenges for development and sustainability, as high-density
areas face overcrowding and pollution, while low-density regions struggle with
underdevelopment and neglect. A balanced development approach, tailored to the needs
of each region, is crucial to ensure sustainable population management and reduce regional
inequalities in the future

Factors Contributing to Population

Distribution and Density Variations in
Pakistan

Population distribution and density in Pakistan are shaped by a complex interaction of

physical, economic, social, and political factors, each influencing where people choose (or
are able) to live. These factors explain why Punjab and Karachi are densely populated, while
regions like Balochistan and Northern Pakistan remain sparsely settled. Each factor not only
affects initial population patterns but also links to secondary impacts on development and
sustainability.

1. Physical Factors

The natural environment plays a major role in shaping population distribution. Areas with
flat, fertile land, like the Indus Plain in Punjab and Sindh, support intensive agriculture,
which attracts and sustains large populations. The availability of irrigation from rivers like
the Indus and its tributaries allows year-round farming, creating food security and
employment. Conversely, regions with mountainous terrain, such as Gilgit-Baltistan or the
Hindu Kush range, and desert or arid regions, like Thar Desert in Sindh or western
Balochistan, are difficult to farm and build infrastructure on, making them sparsely
populated.
Linked to this, harsh climates — including very cold winters in the north or extreme heat in
the west and south — discourage dense settlement. Water scarcity in arid zones makes
agriculture and daily life challenging, causing people to migrate to more hospitable areas.
This leads to the depopulation of rural, dry areas, reinforcing regional underdevelopment,
as fewer people means less investment in services and infrastructure.

💰 2. Economic Factors

Economic opportunities are one of the strongest pull factors for population concentration.
Cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, and Karachi offer employment in manufacturing, trade,
services, and informal sectors. These urban economies are supported by infrastructure such
as roads, ports, railways, and telecommunication networks, all of which attract more
workers and businesses, creating a positive feedback loop that fuels population growth.
In contrast, Balochistan, despite being rich in minerals and gas, remains sparsely populated
because of poor infrastructure, weak job markets, and limited industrial development.
People in such regions often migrate in search of work, causing an internal brain drain and
labour shortages, which further hinders local economic development. The resulting rural–
urban divide worsens inequality and pressures urban services as more people move into
already dense cities.

3. Social Factors

Education, healthcare, and other social amenities significantly shape population patterns.
Provinces like Punjab and parts of KP have better access to schools, universities, and
hospitals, encouraging people to settle and raise families there. Additionally, urban areas
offer more lifestyle choices, connectivity, and facilities, making them more attractive,
especially for the youth.
Meanwhile, rural and remote areas, particularly in interior Sindh, Balochistan, and the
Northern Areas, often lack basic services. The absence of good schools and hospitals leads
to out-migration, especially among young people, leaving behind a dependent aging
population. This causes a demographic imbalance and creates a cycle of neglect, where low
population leads to fewer services, which in turn pushes more people to leave.

4. Political and Administrative Factors

Government policy and investment decisions have a powerful influence on where

development — and therefore population — is concentrated. Historically, Punjab has
received a greater share of development funds, leading to better infrastructure, services,
and job creation, which draw in more people. Karachi, being the economic capital, has
received strategic importance due to its port, further concentrating population.
In contrast, Balochistan and the Northern Areas have often been politically marginalised,
receiving fewer public services, roads, and healthcare facilities. Limited political
representation and ongoing tensions in some areas have discouraged both public and
private investment. As a result, these areas remain underdeveloped and sparsely
populated, creating regional inequalities and feelings of exclusion among local
communities.
Additionally, conflict and insecurity (e.g., due to militancy in parts of KP or tribal disputes in
Balochistan) reduce settlement and force internal displacement, further influencing
population patterns. Refugee flows, like Afghan migrants into KP, also reshape local
population densities, often straining services in already poor regions like Peshawar and
Chaman.
✅ Conclusion
In conclusion, variations in population distribution and density in Pakistan are the result of
interlinked physical conditions, economic opportunities, social infrastructure, and political
decisions. These factors are not isolated — they influence each other in feedback loops. For
example, poor physical conditions reduce economic activity, leading to out-migration, which
causes underdevelopment, which then prevents future investment. Understanding these
factors helps explain why some regions of Pakistan thrive with dense populations and urban
growth, while others remain remote, sparsely populated, and economically disadvantaged
— posing a challenge to balanced and sustainable national development.

📉 Unemployment and Underemployment in

Pakistan – Causes, Impacts & Solutions

🔍 Causes of Rural and Urban Unemployment and

Underemployment

Unemployment and underemployment in Pakistan arise from a mix of structural, economic,

and demographic issues, which vary between urban and rural areas. In rural areas, most
people depend on agriculture, but landholdings are often small and fragmented. Many
families rely on subsistence farming, where income is minimal and seasonal, leading to
underemployment — people may work long hours but earn too little to sustain their
livelihoods. Limited access to modern farming equipment and irrigation also lowers
productivity, reducing the need for full-time farm labour. Additionally, rural industrial
development is weak, so non-farm employment opportunities are rare, especially for
women.
In urban areas, rapid rural-urban migration has caused the labour force to grow faster than
job creation. Cities like Karachi and Lahore are unable to absorb the influx of workers,
especially unskilled migrants. As a result, many people end up in the informal sector, doing
low-paid, insecure jobs such as vending, rickshaw driving, or construction. These jobs often
do not use their full skills, hence causing underemployment. Furthermore, rising
automation in industries and weak industrial growth reduce the need for labour, pushing
educated youth into joblessness. The mismatch between what the education system
produces and what the job market demands also adds to youth unemployment, especially
among graduates lacking technical skills.

⚙️Availability of Skilled and Manual Labour

Pakistan has a large pool of manual labour, especially in rural areas and the informal sector.
These workers are often involved in farming, construction, or low-skilled services. However,
there is a shortage of skilled labour in fields such as engineering, IT, medicine, and
management. This is due to limited access to quality education and vocational training,
especially in rural regions and among females.
Many people graduate from schools or colleges with theoretical knowledge but lack
practical or technical skills, which employers require. As a result, industries face a skills gap,
where jobs exist but suitable workers are not available. This reduces productivity and makes
firms less competitive. In contrast, Gulf countries often recruit Pakistanis for manual labour
jobs due to the surplus of low-skilled workers, but this does little to boost Pakistan’s
internal economy in the long term.

💸 Impact on GDP and GNP

Unemployment and underemployment directly affect Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product

(GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP). When people are jobless or underused, they do
not contribute productively to the economy, resulting in lower output and income levels. A
large informal sector means much of the labour is not taxed or recorded, so GNP is
underreported. Moreover, a high number of dependents (due to unemployment) increases
the burden on employed individuals and public welfare systems, reducing overall savings
and investment in the economy.
Underemployment also leads to poor quality of goods and services, which affects exports,
especially in textiles and agriculture, Pakistan’s main sectors. If a country's human capital is
not effectively utilised, long-term development slows down, and poverty levels remain high,
especially in rural and peri-urban areas.

🧠 Importance of Literacy, Education, and Training

Education, literacy, and training are essential for sustainable development in Pakistan. A
literate and skilled population contributes more productively to the economy, drives
innovation, and improves governance. Yet, literacy rates remain uneven — while urban
males have higher literacy, rural areas and females continue to lag. This gender and regional
disparity reduces national efficiency and slows social progress.
Training programs, especially vocational and technical training, are crucial to bridge the skill
gap. Initiatives like NAVTTC (National Vocational and Technical Training Commission) aim to
upskill youth, but coverage is still limited. Improving access to quality primary and
secondary education in rural areas, especially for girls, is vital to build long-term human
capital. Educated women are more likely to manage family health, ensure children's
education, and even contribute economically, especially in microenterprises or cottage
industries.
Without investing in education and training, unemployment and underemployment will
persist, making it harder for Pakistan to reach Vision 2025 goals or improve HDI rankings.
Education also promotes entrepreneurship, helping people create their own jobs instead of
relying on formal employment.

✅ Conclusion
In conclusion, rural and urban unemployment and underemployment in Pakistan stem from
deep-rooted structural problems, including limited education access, weak industrial
growth, and poor policy implementation. These issues directly reduce the country’s GDP
and GNP by underutilising its labour force. To improve long-term development, Pakistan
must invest in both male and female literacy, expand vocational training, reduce the urban-
rural development gap, and build a workforce that meets the demands of a modern
economy. Without addressing these factors, poverty and inequality will continue to hold
back national progress.