Pakistan has a very large population but its resources, including technology, are modest. The existing resources have not been developed to their full potential. By and large, the living standards are low. and Pakistan is still counted among the developing nations.
Pakistan's population is growing at an alarming rate. It double in the 50 years between 1901 and 1951, doubled again in the 21 years between 1951 and 1972, and again in the 26 years between 1972 and 1998. In 1998, the population was 132.4 million. This massive population has to be fed, housed and clothed with a limited number of resources.
Food Resources:
With the growth in population, the per capita share in land is decreasing, Although the total cultivated land area has increased by about 80 percent from 1951 to 1998. the per capita cultivated land area has decreased from 4.856 square meters to 4.452 square meters. It is from this small area of land that enough food and cash crops have to be grown to sustain the country's entire population.
At partition,Pakistan was self sufficient in wheat, the staple food. In 1952-3, however, a deficiency in wheat was registered for the first time, setting a trend for subsequent years. Wheat still has to be imported in large quantities to feed the growing population. Pakistan also has to import large quantities of edible oils and pulses. This is a matter of grave concern to Pakistan because its economy is based on agriculture.
Pakistan's population is growing at an alarming rate. It double in the 50 years between 1901 and 1951, doubled again in the 21 years between 1951 and 1972, and again in the 26 years between 1972 and 1998. In 1998, the population was 132.4 million. This massive population has to be fed, housed and clothed with a limited number of resources.
Food Resources:
With the growth in population, the per capita share in land is decreasing, Although the total cultivated land area has increased by about 80 percent from 1951 to 1998. the per capita cultivated land area has decreased from 4.856 square meters to 4.452 square meters. It is from this small area of land that enough food and cash crops have to be grown to sustain the country's entire population.
At partition,Pakistan was self sufficient in wheat, the staple food. In 1952-3, however, a deficiency in wheat was registered for the first time, setting a trend for subsequent years. Wheat still has to be imported in large quantities to feed the growing population. Pakistan also has to import large quantities of edible oils and pulses. This is a matter of grave concern to Pakistan because its economy is based on agriculture.
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