The United Nations World Fertility Report 2024 highlights a significant decline in Pakistan’s fertility rate, which dropped from six live births per woman in 1994 to 3.6 in 2024.
The report, yet to be officially released, emphasizes reducing adolescent birth rates through targeted interventions, noting its substantial socioeconomic benefits.
Lowering birth rates would allow governments and families to allocate resources more effectively to improve children and adolescents’ health and well-being. Delaying early pregnancies could also open doors for young women to education, employment, and personal development.
According to the report, around 1.8 billion people—22% of the world’s population—live in 63 countries still in the early or intermediate stages of demographic transition. These nations are expected to reach low fertility levels after 2054.
The report urges governments in such regions to implement stronger legal protections for women and girls, including bans on child marriage and guaranteed access to reproductive healthcare and education.
Globally, fertility rates have steadily declined over the past 50 years, falling from 4.8 births per woman in 1970 to 2.2 in 2024. On average, women today have one less child than in 1990 when the fertility rate was 3.3.
