Pakistan in 2024 is at the crossroads of its demographic and economic development. The population of the nation is over 240 million and it has an incredible number of young people; 63. 9% are below the age of 30 years. This demographic dividend has the capability to revolutionize the economic and social structure of Pakistan if only the country can manage to properly invest and develop its young population. The article explores the untapped potential of youth in Pakistan and the efforts of the government to utilize this potential.
Pakistan’s youth bulge is one of its greatest strengths and at the same time a major problem. On one hand, the large number of young people is a great potential that can be utilized to increase the economic growth rates and introduce innovations. On the other hand, if not dealt well, this can become a demographic disaster, which will increase unemployment and social unrest.
Currently, youth unemployment is at 11% which is way above the world average of 6.1%. This underlines the necessity of the effective implementation of the relevant measures to ensure the correspondence of education and vocational training with the market requirements. To do so, initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Program and the Digital Learning and Skills Enrichment Initiative (DLSEI) in collaboration with Coursera are some of the positive measures taken by the government. They are aimed at closing the technology divide and offering skills that are required in the current labor market.
However, significant gaps remain. According to the World Economic Forum report, 70% of the Pakistani employers reported that they have problems in finding the skilled workforce, which shows the mismatch between education and employment. To this end, Pakistan needs to increase the level of vocational education and ensure that the curricula of educational institutions correspond to the demands of the economy.
The above issue can be addressed cunningly as the IT industry and start-ups culture in Pakistan is on the rise and this can be a good opportunity for the country. The information technology is growing at the rate of 14% annually and there is increasing internet and mobile broadband penetration to support entrepreneurial activities. There is a growing support for young entrepreneurs through the National Incubation Center and various private accelerators, but there is a need for more support in innovation and business development to fully unlock this potential.
Another point to be considered is that socioeconomic factors are still a major factor that hinders access to such support initiatives. A large number of young people in Pakistan are economically disadvantaged and have poor literacy standards, and this makes them disillusioned and alienated from the political and social systems. The physical health and the mental health of the youth of Pakistan are also important determinants of their efficiency and quality of life. Psychological problems, compounded by the economic and social challenges, require intervention. Improving mental health care and destigmatizing the process of seeking help can positively affect the quality of life and productivity in youth. It is crucial to eliminate these disparities by employing specific strategies and policies that will help to create an inclusive and productive society.
Moreover, political awareness and political participation are vital in realizing the potential of the youth of Pakistan. Voting and other forms of civic activities can be used to encourage young people to be part of the society’s development process. The recent attempts to establish the means for the youth to express themselves and take leadership, like the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance and the Commonwealth Youth Parliamentarian Forum, are the steps towards the development of the more knowledgeable and active youth population. As the Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland rightly said, Pakistani youth is a “rich gold reserve” that can make a difference.
Therefore, for Pakistan to optimally harness its young population, it needs to address the issues of education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and political and social participation. By investing in these areas, Pakistan can turn its demographic dividend into a major strength for the country’s economic and social development. The future of the country depends on the proper management and development of this factor, transforming demographic threats into demographic assets. Thus, Pakistan needs to have coherent strategies and visionary policies to turn the youth energy into a positive force and make the future of the country brighter and more prosperous.
