Pakistan must create up to 30 million jobs over the next decade the World Bank President has warned as officials stress that employment generation will be critical for economic stability and growth.
World Bank President Ajay Banga speaking during a visit to Karachi told Reuters that Pakistan’s youth bulge presents a major opportunity but only if millions of young people can find work. Failure to deliver jobs he said could fuel social instability and drive many to seek opportunities abroad.
Under the new 10‑year Country Partnership Framework (CPF) agreed with the World Bank Islamabad has begun implementing a strategy focused on outcomes with job creation described as the “North Star” of development efforts.
Banga noted that Pakistan needs to generate roughly 2.5 to 3 million jobs per year to meet this goal a task he described as a “generational challenge.” He stressed that employment creation must be a central policy priority not an afterthought given Pakistan’s demographic dynamics and the number of young people entering the workforce.
The World Bank’s plan includes around $4 billion in combined annual financing with about half expected from private sector investments. Key sectors identified for job growth include healthcare tourism agriculture infrastructure and small business development where labour intensity can absorb large numbers of workers.
Banga also highlighted that fixing fundamental constraints such as inefficiencies in the power sector is crucial for economic expansion and attracting private investment that can spur job creation.
He urged business‑friendly reforms expanded access to financing especially for small firms and farmers and building climate resilience into development planning to support sustainable employment growth.
The World Bank chief’s remarks underscore the urgency of addressing Pakistan’s employment challenge which will shape the country’s economic prospects in the decades ahead.
