A desperate man in Pakistan this April in the month of Ramadan killed his wife and seven children with a grass-cutting cleaver in the Mud Wala area within the premises of Saddar Police Station in Alipur district of Muzaffargarh in Punjab province, before surrendering himself to the police.

According to local media reports, the horrific event is believed to be driven by poverty and joblessness which has become a rising threat to the country’s population, especially the graduate youths.

The country has been seeing an abnormal rise in cases of suicide or attempted suicide, which are reportedly driven by unemployment.

This ever-growing trend in Pakistan reflects the increasing economic difficulties of the people, the most significant of all is the shrinking employment opportunities.

Mainly joblessness and job loss are driving people to take the extreme step of killing themselves. This is also supported by the available statistics that young men in the age group of 20 and 30 are mostly attempting or committing suicide.

Many jobless young men and women end their lives every year in Pakistan.

Things are taking an alarming turn as unemployment makes the young population vulnerable to crime groups, while some jobless youths end up working in dangerous conditions or being forced into illegal activities.

The nation has been facing economic hurdles for many years, but lately, the country has been hit by a more substantial crunch. The dwindling economy is affecting not only the citizens but also the job market.

According to experts, factors such as rapid population growth, a lack of quality education, economic instability, and insufficient job opportunities contribute to the high unemployment rate in Pakistan, and the consequences of unemployment include poverty, social unrest, increased crime rates, and a decline in overall economic growth.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projected the unemployment rate in Pakistan in 2023 at 8.5 percent. It stood at 5.6 percent in 2022.

There have been some prominent causes of ever-growing unemployment in Pakistan. One of them is the growing population.

The country faces a daunting challenge with its growing population and simultaneous rise in unemployment rates. The reasons behind this are multi-faceted and intricate.

Rapid urbanization is one of the biggest culprits of unemployment. It has created an insufficient job market. This rapid urbanization has led to a surplus of workers competing for a limited number of vacancies.

Another major factor is the lack of quality education and training opportunities. The over-reliance of the economy on the agricultural sector has also contributed to joblessness, with limited job opportunities available in other industries.

The need to address this issue becomes more urgent as the population continues to grow.

Illiteracy is a major issue in the South Asian country that has resulted in a high rate of unemployment.

The lack of education and basic literacy skills have left a significant portion of the population struggling to find a proper employment. Illiteracy remains a top cause of joblessness, while several other factors also contribute to the unemployment rate in Pakistan.

Political instability is another big reason. The country has a long history of political instability that has created an unfavorable business environment.

Investors are reluctant to invest in the country, which resulted in a shortage of job opportunities

Another major reason for the high rate of unemployment in Pakistan is the flaws in the country’s education system.

In Pakistan, students often graduate from schools, colleges and universities with just degrees and without the necessary skills and knowledge required for the job market.

This system focuses more on theoretical concepts and rote learning rather than critical thinking and practical application.

There is a shortage of skilled workers in certain sectors and an oversupply of graduates in others due to the mismatch between the subjects taught in the country’s education system and the demands of the job market.

The country’s struggling economy is another major factor behind the growing unemployment rate. Lack of local and external investments in the economy leads to minimal business growth and limited job opportunities.

Energy crisis is another important cause of unemployment. The shortage of electricity and gas in the country has led to frequent power outages and even blackouts. As a result, factories shut down and productivity took a hit.

Pakistan, which has one of the highest taxation rates in the region, has become increasingly difficult for businesses to expand as well as for new investments.

This high taxation rate in Pakistan has been a source of worry for its people as well as investors for years.

The lack of technology in Pakistan has become a pressing issue that is preventing it from unleashing its full potential.

The lack of access to advanced technology is hampering progress across all sectors. The challenges of poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and an underdeveloped education system have compounded the problem.

The nation has been facing economic hurdles for many years, but lately, the country has been hit by a more substantial crunch. The dwindling economy is affecting not only the citizens but also the job market.

Social dilemmas in the country often revolve around issues of gender equality, poverty, and education.