Ans: Growth and Distribution of Population in Pakistan:
Pakistan is a densely populated country. Density of population means the
average number of people living in a square kilometre. According to the facts
and figures of Pakistan Economic Survey 2018-19, the population of
Pakistan is 212.82 million. It is increasing at the rate of 2.4% per annum The
rapid growth in population can be seen from the facts that according to the
census of 2017, Pakistan’s population was 207.7 million. This increased to
more than 212 million in 2019. Two important points should be kept in view
in reference to population: first, its distribution and secondly its rate of
growth. According to the census of 2017, the density of population was 261
persons per square kilometre. The latest statistics show that it is in excess of
267 persons per square kilometre. That means that the area is the same but
population has rapidly increased. That is why Pakistan is included in the list
of densely populated countries.
According to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2018-19, important
information about Pakistan’s population is given below:
| Population of Pakistan | About 212.82 million |
| Urban population | 77.42 million |
| Rural population | 135.40 million |
| average age of females | 68.2 years |
| average age of males | 65.8 years |
Density of population in relation to provinces:
The Punjab is the largest province of Pakistan by population. About 53% of
Pakistan’s population lives in the Punjab. On average, 535 persons lives in a
square kilometre in the Punjab. In Balochistan there are on average 35
persons per square kilometre. In Sindh the average number of persons per
square kilometer is 339 and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa it is 349.
Census:
To develop a meaningful and successful plan for any Country, the different
aspects of population should be available, such as total population and its
regional distribution, ratio of rural and urban population, growth rate,
population per kilometre, education and educational ability and significant
professions of the people etc are on top. The process of obtaining these
facts and figures is called a census. A Census is held after every 10 years,
The first census in Indo-Pak subcontinent was held in 1881. After the
creation of Pakistan, census has been held 6 times. The details are given
below:
| Year of census | Population (approximately) |
| 1951 | About 33.7 million |
| 1961 | About 42.8 million |
| 1972 | About 65.3 million |
| 1981 | About 84.2 million |
| 1998 | About 132.3 million |
| 2017 | About 207.7 million |