**6.1 Population**

Pakistan has sustained significant population growth in the past century. In early 1891, the population of the country was 18.4 million, which dropped to 16.6 million in 1901. Then the population was estimated at 19.4 million in 1911, which increased to 21.2 million in 1921 and 23.6 million in 1931, while in 1941 it again increased up to 28.3 million. According to the first well-organized census in 1951, Pakistani population was 33.7 million having 6 million urban and 27.8 million rural population. In 1961, this figure was increased to 42.9 with 9.6 million urban and 33.3 million rural inhabitants. Onward, in 1971, it i up to 65.4 million with 7.6 million urban and 48.8 million rural population. The increase in population continues in 1981, where population of the country reached to 84.3 million having 23.9 million urban and 60.5 million rural population. As per 1998 census, the population had quadrupled to 132 million inhabitants and almost double (207.8 million in 2017) (**Figure 5**, **Table 1**).

**105**

**Figure 5.**

*Pakistan population 1890–2017.*

**Year Population Year Population** 

*Arid region of Pakistan demographic characteristics.*

**density**

 18.4 1890 NA 1890 NA 1890 NA NA 16.6 1901 20.8 1901 1.6 1901 9.8 90.2 19.4 1911 24.4 1911 0.8 1911 8.7 91.3 21.2 1921 26.5 1921 1.1 1921 9.8 90.2 23.6 1931 29.6 1931 1.9 1931 11.8 88.2 28.3 1941 35.9 1941 1.8 1941 14.2 85.8 33.8 1951 42.4 1951 2.4 1951 17.7 82.3 42.9 1961 53.9 1961 2.3 1961 22.5 78.0 65.4 1972 82.1 1972 3.3 1972 28.3 71.7 84.3 1981 105.8 1981 3.3 1981 28.3 71.7 132.4 1998 166.3 1998 2.7 1998 32.5 67.5 207.8 2017 256.0 2017 2.4 2017 36.4 63.6

**Year Annual** 

**growth**

**Year Urban Rural**

programs (**Table 1**).

*Source: GoP [17].*

**Table 1.**

populations by the year 2010.

*Environment, Agriculture, and Land Use Pattern DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83850*

In early 1994, the population of Pakistan was estimated to be 126 million, making it the ninth most populous country in the world. Its land area, however, ranks 32nd among nations. Thus, Pakistan has about 2% of the world's population living on less than 0.7% of the world's land. The population growth rate is among the world's highest, officially estimated at 3.1% per year but privately thought to be closer to 3.3% per year by many planners involved in population

The total population of the arid region in 1998 was 60.2 million comprising 31.5 million male and 28.7 million female. It is estimated that the projected population of the arid zone will be 78.7 million including 41.2 million male and 37.5 million female

*Environment, Agriculture, and Land Use Pattern DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83850*

#### **Figure 5.**

*Climate Change and Agriculture*

**6. Human environment**

*Natural vegetation of the arid region, Pakistan, Khan [3].*

**Figure 4.**

**6.1 Population**

Agriculture is practiced in diverse economic, social, and environmental conditions. Hence, great diversity has developed in agriculture practices and products. In some areas of the arid region, farming is carried out to meet the local demand; in others it is primarily cultivated for commercial purposes. "The different types of farming in the arid region of Pakistan are intensive subsistence farming, dairy farming, plantation farming, truck farming, and extensive herding" [16]. Among the factors that have influenced the type of farming include distribution of popula-

Pakistan has sustained significant population growth in the past century. In early 1891, the population of the country was 18.4 million, which dropped to 16.6 million in 1901. Then the population was estimated at 19.4 million in 1911, which increased to 21.2 million in 1921 and 23.6 million in 1931, while in 1941 it again increased up to 28.3 million. According to the first well-organized census in 1951, Pakistani population was 33.7 million having 6 million urban and 27.8 million rural population. In 1961, this figure was increased to 42.9 with 9.6 million urban and 33.3 million rural inhabitants. Onward, in 1971, it i up to 65.4 million with 7.6 million urban and 48.8 million rural population. The increase in population continues in 1981, where population of the country reached to 84.3 million having 23.9 million urban and 60.5 million rural population. As per 1998 census, the population had quadrupled to 132 million inhabitants and almost double (207.8 million in

tion and human settlements, as well as socioeconomic conditions.

**104**

2017) (**Figure 5**, **Table 1**).

*Pakistan population 1890–2017.*


#### **Table 1.**

*Arid region of Pakistan demographic characteristics.*

In early 1994, the population of Pakistan was estimated to be 126 million, making it the ninth most populous country in the world. Its land area, however, ranks 32nd among nations. Thus, Pakistan has about 2% of the world's population living on less than 0.7% of the world's land. The population growth rate is among the world's highest, officially estimated at 3.1% per year but privately thought to be closer to 3.3% per year by many planners involved in population programs (**Table 1**).

The total population of the arid region in 1998 was 60.2 million comprising 31.5 million male and 28.7 million female. It is estimated that the projected population of the arid zone will be 78.7 million including 41.2 million male and 37.5 million female populations by the year 2010.

#### *Climate Change and Agriculture*

The population density of the arid region is 137 persons/km<sup>2</sup> area in 1998, while it is expected that the projected population will be 179 persons/km<sup>2</sup> by the year 2010.
