Demographic Perspectives on Pakistan's Development

The incidence, accommodation, and control of population growth in Pakistan are addressed in the context of alternative development strategies, past and prospective. The issue of accommodation of population growth in different regions and development phases is explored, including micro and social structural responses to population increase, income-generating and insurance functions of children, and policy adjustments and initiatives with a bearing on such accommodation. A "commercial holdings" strategy is suggested as a vehicle for population accommodation in a rural setting in which the landless rival the landed poor in numbers and in need. The paper also discusses justifications for family planning policies and identifies strategies appropriate for such programs. Possible repercussions of further population growth and likely benefits of family planning are considered. The paper concludes by describing rural development options in Pakistan.