(MENAFN- Daily Outlook Afghanistan) Population is thebasic part of a state. States are formed for the welfare and wellbeing of theirpeople; without population no state or society can exist. There are many statesin the world and all of them have different number of people living in them. Thereis not a fixed rule about the number of people living in a state. It depends onthe size and conditions of the territories. In the modern concept of state thesize of population has to be analyzed as per the resources of the state, as thelarger population does not always suggest prosperity. There are countries thathave been suffering because of their large population and limited resources.
Afghanistan is one ofthe same kinds of countries that suffer from economic and political problems.There has been intense poverty in most parts of country because of continuouswars and natural calamities. The political and economic infrastructures are inthe early stages of their development. In such a scenario Afghanistan is havinga considerable population. The number of people living in Afghanistan at themoment is more around 31.5 million, which is just a rough estimate.
This estimate is basedon an earlier census that was incomplete, and does not represent Afghanpopulation accurately. The actual number may be more than the one mentionedabove. It has been one of the greatest misfortunes of the country that therehas not been any comprehensible scientific population census in the country,which is really necessary for better political, social and economic decisionmaking. It is really difficult to administer a population without knowing itscomposition correctly.
Unfortunately thepopulation growth rate in Afghanistan has been high as well. Population growthrate is the estimate of the increase in population per year. The rate forAfghanistan, according to the Central Statistics Organization (CSO) is 2.4percent. If the same rate retains the population in the country will be doubledwithin three decades. Currently if it is accepted that the population ofAfghanistan is around 28 million, in 2025 it may reach to more than 34 million.This clearly indicates the serious nature of the growth taking place in thecountry. Definitely, this growth rate is going to test the capabilities ofAfghan resources and Afghan government in the times to come.
Among the reasons ofthe rapid growth in population the most dominant one is that the people are notaware of the issue at all. The people living the remote areas of the country donot know even their basic rights and responsibilities. It is really difficultto expect from them to have proper understanding of the issue. It is reallyunfortunate to note that even the well-educated people in the urban areas donot consider this issue seriously. One of the greatest troubles with the Afghansociety is that it has been vehemently dominated by strict tribal norms andvalues and fundamentalist interpretation of religion.
Furthermore, the risein health facilities has been able to control the mortality rate to a certainextent, which would ultimately have affect on the growth rate. Apart from thatthere are financial barriers that restrict the families to go for a luxury,like birth control.
Population growth ratein our country has been unchecked and can really lead to numerous problems. Thegovernment in this regard has to take serious and practical steps to controlthe issue as soon as possible. There should be intensive awareness programs forthe people as a whole. Such programs should rather be started from the collegeand university level, wherein the citizens must be given complete understandingof threats that can be faced because of unchecked population growth. As far asthe remote areas are considered, the endeavors must be doubled as in such areas it is not just aboutcommunicating the message to the families; rather the endeavors must go throughstrict and narrow-minded tribal norms and religious teachings.
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