Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has experienced boundless demographic changes over the past seven decades.

From a modest population of just over one million in 1951 to nearly 15m in 2023, the province’s growth tells a story of transformation driven by health advancements, infrastructural development, migration, and socioeconomic shifts.

Moreover, it is important to provide an insightful analysis to the political leadership and policymakers, who still believe rapid population growth is not an issue in Balochistan. If this trend continues, there will arise serious social and economic challenges in the water-stressed region.

The census data for Balochistan, spanning from 1951 to 2023, illustrates significant demographic shifts and a remarkable population increase over the decades. According to the Census Reports (1951-2023), in 1951, the population stood at 1.17m. By 1961, it had grown modestly to 1.35m, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5 per cent. A pronounced surge followed between 1961 and 1972, as the population climbed to 2.43m at an accelerated growth rate of 5.16pc. This rapid increase can likely be attributed to improvements in healthcare, declining mortality rates, and, especially, high fertility levels.

The most dramatic population growth occurred between 1972 and 1981, when the population nearly doubled to 4.33m, marking an unprecedented........

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