On May 13^th, 2025, Dr. Durre Nayab, Director, Socioeconomic Insights and Analytics delivered an engaging lecture to the participants of 37^th SMC on “Population Dynamics of Pakistan”. She succinctly outlined the population demographics of Pakistan and how at the current rate we are expected be a nation of 450 million people by 2070.

Dr. Durre Nayab discussed the reasons for population growth and how economics, health, environment, literacy, education, psychology of a nation all contribute to population demographics as everything is interlinked. She revealed that the youth bulge that Pakistan is already facing, will increase in coming years and add to frustrations of the youth due to lack of jobs, less opportunities for upward mobility and shrinking space for youth-oriented discourse.

Dr. Durre Nayab specifically explained how high infant mortality rates contribute to high fertility and thus larger populations. She also commented upon the fact that Pakistan is a pro-natal country where larger families are coveted so while balancing population with resources is key, attitudinal change is also necessary.

Dr. Durre Nayab elaborated that educators, religious leaders, policy makers, demographic experts all can further the narrative that having less children are beneficial to families on a personal level and Pakistan as a country.