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Pakistan's Youth: A Demographic Dividend for a Healthier Tomorrow

03:19 PM | 26 Aug, 2023
Pakistan's Youth: A Demographic Dividend for a Healthier Tomorrow
Source: Photo: The dayspring

With a growing youth population, the nation stands on the brink of both challenge and opportunity. Currently, over 64% of Pakistan's population is under 30, a demographic trend set to continue until at least 2050. This youth bulge can be harnessed as a driving force for positive change, particularly in the realm of family planning and healthier population management.

Pakistan’s National Human Development Report 2017 offers revealing insights into the current state of our youth. It highlights that only 6% of young individuals have more than 12 years of education, and 29 out of every 100 are illiterate. In terms of employment, 39 out of 100 youth have jobs, with a significant gender disparity. Only 4% are actively searching for work, while 57 out of 100 are neither working nor seeking employment. The report also underscores the lack of connectivity and social engagement space, with limited access to the internet, cell phones, libraries, and sports facilities.

Moreover, around 9.45 million children are not enrolled in primary schools despite Pakistan's constitutional commitment to free education for all. At the current pace, complete enrollment won't be achieved until 2076. However, to meet the global education goal by 2030, the annual net enrolment rate must quadruple from the current rate of 0.92% to 3.8%.

To effectively utilize this youth demographic as a demographic dividend, urgent action is required. Each year, almost 4 million young people enter the working-age population. However, without interventions, the current labour force participation and unemployment rates cannot accommodate this influx. To address this, about 1.3 million jobs need to be created annually over the next five years to improve labour force participation rates and reduce unemployment.

The Delivering Accelerated Family Planning in Pakistan (DAFPAK) program, led by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), recognizes the potential of Pakistan's youth bulge. The KhairKhwah platform, under the DAFPAK program, is a commendable effort to empower young individuals with information about reproductive health and family planning. Yet, to fully realize the demographic dividend, a holistic approach is imperative.

Pakistan must focus on comprehensive education reforms, bridging gender gaps, providing skill development opportunities, and enhancing job prospects. The youth must have access to quality education, equipping them with relevant skills for the workforce. Gender equality initiatives are essential to ensure equal opportunities for all. Moreover, creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship and innovation will drive economic growth.

By investing in education, skills, and opportunities, we can turn challenges into opportunities. Pakistan's youth can drive progress, healthier families, and economic growth. With concerted efforts from the government, civil society, and international partners like FCDO's DAFPAK, we can ensure that our youth play a pivotal role in shaping a healthier, more prosperous Pakistan for generations to come.

Sarfraz Ali
Sarfraz Ali

The author is working as Editor Digital Media for Daily Pakistan and can be reached @ItsSarfrazAli.

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Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal rates on Sept 23, 2023

KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on September 23, 2023 (Saturday).

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 292 295.15
Euro EUR 317 320
UK Pound Sterling GBP 372.5 376
U.A.E Dirham AED 81.5 82.3
Saudi Riyal SAR 78.55 79.3
Australian Dollar AUD 198 200
Bahrain Dinar BHD 781.13 789.13
Canadian Dollar CAD 220 222.2
China Yuan CNY 40.22 40.62
Danish Krone DKK 42.35 42.75
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 37.93 38.28
Indian Rupee INR 3.57 3.68
Japanese Yen JPY 1.92 1.99
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 951.03 960.03
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 62.62 63.22
New Zealand Dollar NZD 174.23 176.23
Norwegians Krone NOK 27.87 28.17
Omani Riyal OMR 762.72 770.72
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 80.69 81.39
Singapore Dollar SGD 217 219
Swedish Korona SEK 26.62 26.92
Swiss Franc CHF 325.12 327.62
Thai Bhat THB 8.31 8.46

Gold Rate in Pakistan Today – September 23, 2023

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

KARACHI – The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 215,800 on Saturday. The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs185,020.

Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs170,068 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs198,365.

Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.

Today Gold Price in Pakistan - 23 September 2023

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Karachi PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Islamabad PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Peshawar PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Quetta PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Sialkot PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Attock PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Gujranwala PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Jehlum PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Multan PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Bahawalpur PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Gujrat PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Nawabshah PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Chakwal PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Hyderabad PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Nowshehra PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Sargodha PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Faisalabad PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565
Mirpur PKR 215,800 PKR 2,565

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