Pakistan Faces Highest Rate of Unregistered Births and Deaths

Pakistan has the highest number of unregistered births and deaths globally, with UNICEF reporting that 60% of children are not registered before their fifth birthday, Khaama Press reported yesterday.

Approximately 60 million children remain unregistered, leading to barriers in accessing education and healthcare. The country’s complex registration process requires multiple documents, including affidavits, CNIC copies, and fees, making it particularly challenging for families in rural areas.

Despite the existence of the Civil Registration Management System by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), bureaucratic hurdles and lack of awareness hinder effective registration. Alarmingly, nearly 50% of deaths go unregistered, contributing to issues like ghost pensioners and dummy voters. The process for obtaining a death certificate involves numerous steps, further complicating matters for grieving families.

Pakistan’s ineffective registration systems highlight the urgent need for reforms to ensure comprehensive citizen identification and access to essential services.