ISLAMABAD, June 4: Pakistan’s population increased to 152.53 million in the year 2004-05 although the annual growth rate came down to 1.9 per cent from up to three per cent in the 1980s, a government survey issued on Saturday said. Overall population had increased by 2.76 million as compared to last year, the Pakistan Economic Survey 2004-05 showed.

Had Pakistan succeeded in slowing its population growth rate to two per cent per annum since 1959-60, its population today would have been 103.4 million as against 152 million, it said.

In other words, Pakistan’s population would have been 49.13 million less today with per capita income of Rs64,366 as against Rs43,748 or $1,083 than current $736 and the country would have been 52 per cent richer than what it was today, the survey said.

It added that according to one estimate, Pakistan’s population would almost double in next 32 years at the current growth rate of 1.9 per cent.

According to the survey, though higher population growth supplies more work-force in the market, it also contributes to rising unemployment, poverty and pressure on educational and health facilities, land fragmentation, overcrowding and establishment of Kutchi Abadis in cities, crime and environmental degradation.

Meanwhile, labour force also registered nearly constant growth of around two per cent over five years, which was 45.76 million in 2004 as compared to 40.49 million in 2000. Thus working hands increased to 5.27 million.

In the next few decades, the survey said, there would be a massive increase of people in the working age group (around 60 million).

The employed labour force in 2005 is estimated at 43.22 million compared to 42.24 million in 2004.

The number of employed people in rural areas has increased from 28.98 million in 2004 to 29.65 million in 2005. Similarly urban employment has increased from 14.69 million in 2004 to 15.03 million in 2005.

Agriculture sector has absorbed 17.97 million of the total employed labour force. Participation of female labour force in most sectors, especially agriculture and fishery, has also increased.

A large part of country’s economic activity is in the hands of informal sector which employs 70 per cent of total labour force. Informal economic activities are more concentrated in urban areas as compared to rural areas.

About 3.52 million people are estimated to be unemployed in 2005 compared to 3.72 million last year.