AHMED HUMAYUN MURSHED

Population alone does not determine a nation’s future, but unchecked growth quietly intensifies almost every existing challenge. In countries such as Bangladesh, rising population pressure is closely linked to job scarcity, persistent inflation, shortages in healthcare, declining education standards, strain on law and order, weak infrastructure and environmental degradation. The population will continue to grow. The real challenge is ensuring living standards alongside it. Sustainable progress does not come from expansion alone, but from balancing population growth with opportunity, resources and quality of life.

Every nation is growing, though at different speeds. Nigeria and Pakistan expand by about 2 percent and 1.6 percent respectively. India has moderated to below 1 percent, while China has entered decline. Bangladesh may not top global growth charts, but it carries around 20 crore people within around 1.48 lakh square kilometres. Even moderate increases are visible. Population density amplifies every policy weakness.

Controlling population growth directly eases job scarcity by aligning workforce entry with employment creation. It reduces demand-driven inflation, making essentials more affordable. Healthcare systems face fewer shortages when patient loads stabilise. Classrooms become manageable. Law and order institutions gain capacity when social pressure declines. Infrastructure lasts longer under balanced demand, and the environment recovers as land, air and water face less strain.

A controlled demographic curve allows these areas to improve rather than constantly chase expansion.

Employment is where Bangladesh’s future will be decided, given its population size. The Third and Fourth Industrial Revolutions are already reducing many low-skilled roles while increasing demand for technical capability, automation and cyber-physical systems. If population growth slows, investment per child can rise, allowing easier absorption into a technology-driven economy. Quality replaces quantity.

The equation needs balance. Recognising the problem solves half of it. The other half rests on three ideas working together.

The first is widening the tax net. Only a small fraction of citizens file income tax, constraining public investment. Expanding the base, even modestly, would generate billions in additional revenue. That capital can fund job creation, curb inflationary pressure, strengthen healthcare, raise education standards, improve law and order, build infrastructure and reduce pollution. A broader base also allows lower rates, reducing evasion and building trust. Bangladesh cannot rely on foreign loans indefinitely to keep the wheels turning.

The second is investing in skills at scale. If even one million young people each year receive structured vocational, digital or technical training, productivity rises quickly. Remittances, now around $20-$22 billion annually, could shift towards higher-value professions. Skilled migration and competitive domestic industries both depend on education aligned with global demand.

The third, and most important, is a sustained awareness campaign. Responsible parenthood should be framed not as a restriction but as empowerment. Community engagement, integration of family planning into primary healthcare and education of girls are proven tools. Bangladesh once demonstrated success in this area. A renewed effort, supported by the government, led by Tarique Rahman, and backed by local and international NGOs, religious leaders, administrators and even start-ups using digital platforms, can normalise informed decision-making. Sensitive conversations, handled respectfully, produce gradual but lasting change.

Extreme ideas are sometimes floated, such as linking family size to income or education status. These are neither practical nor equitable. Real change comes from awareness, access to information and economic alignment. Behaviour shifts organically when families understand that raising two children well may secure more opportunities than raising more children without sufficient resources. Population control is not about shrinking ambition. It is about allowing ambition to breathe. Slower demographic expansion means higher per capita investment, stronger institutions, better environmental protection and a workforce prepared for a digital century.

Sustainable growth is controlled growth. Without balance, numbers dilute progress. With balance, even a nation of 20 crore people can move forward with stability and dignity.

The writer is co-founder and CEO of Accfintax and associate director at Hoda Vasi Chowdhury and Co