Globally, the demographic transition model (DTT) describes a process of fertility and mortality transitions from high to low levels. Like other countries in the world, Pakistan is currently in the third stage of the DTT, with declining mortality rates, declining death rates, and a reduced fertility rate. Currently, Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 259.3 million in 2026, and with a large youth population and increasing urbanization.¹ But progress in education, health, employment, and women's empowerment is relatively slow. Thus, Pakistan can learn some important lessons from the global demographic transition model, as it is linked to the economy, education, health, urbanization, and social structure.

First, Pakistan can invest more in women's education and empowerment, following South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Bangladesh, where evidence shows that increased women's education reduces fertility and child mortality, increases the use of family planning, increases women's labour force participation, and accelerates economic growth. Taking Bangladesh as an example and comparing the demographic and socioeconomic aspects of both countries, Pakistan can follow Bangladesh's path to improve its population and development.²

Although Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in its demographic transition, Pakistan's is comparatively slower than those of many other developing countries. With improvements in healthcare, the mortality rate is declining, and life expectancy is rising, contributing to rapid population growth in Pakistan. However, total fertility rate (TFR) decline did not occur at the same pace. As a result, Pakistan continues to experience a high rate of natural population increase.

To reduce the TFR, Pakistan can conduct nationwide family planning campaigns where family planning workers visit door to door to identify problems and provide family planning products for free. To increase the CPR (contraceptive prevalence rate), community health workers should reach rural women and listen to their problems regarding contraceptive products and the reasons behind method discontinuation. The government should increase awareness campaigns and ensure the availability of contraceptives at the remote level. Community health workers should also be provided proper training to strengthen their service capabilities. To reduce CDR and child mortality in Pakistan, strong immunization programs, community clinics, NGO partnerships, and rural maternal healthcare outreach programs should be implemented, ultimately leading to national development. Female education should be increased, along with the female labour force participation rate. To address child marriage and to reduce the dropout rate among girls in school, a mid-day meal program, monthly stipends for girls in secondary school, and technical and vocational training centers for women can help.