Pakistan has one of the highest growth rate of population in the world. At global level Pakistan, in this regard, is the 6th largest country of the world. Among the 37 low-income countries, Pakistan has emerged third populous country after China and India.
The population of Pakistan is growing at the rate of about 1.9% per annum (Economic Survey 2003-2004); adding more than 2 million people every year. Economy as a whole, on the other hand, is growing at an average rate of 6.4 per cent annually, which is mostly swallowed by the growing population.
The population is not only retarding the economy in quantitative terms but coming also in the way of its development in qualitative terms.