The health stress of unemployment take a huge toll on not just an individual, but society and the economy also. Unemployment happens when an individual is without a job and he/she is actively seeking to get a job.
The causes of unemployment are many, but we have to dig deeper to understand why unemployment occurs, why it has such a huge rate, the health stress caused due to it, and the long-term effects of unemployment.
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Unemployment in Pakistan
Unemployment in Pakistan is one of the most prevalent problems. It is actually the reflection of the economy of a country.
From the time of its inception in 1947, Pakistan has faced this major problem of unemployment. Because it has weak economic conditions from the very start.
Prevalence of Unemployment in Pakistan
Pakistan has 6.65 million people unemployed.
The rate of unemployment is three times higher among degree holders than all the other unemployed people. In fact, it is the nightmare of every university student and every fresh graduate. The number of students passing out of universities every year is so high. On the other hand, jobs in their relevant fields are fewer.
According to Hafiz Pasha who is one of the renowned economists, the number of unemployed people in the country will rise by over 2 to 8 million by the end of 2024.
Similarly, there is gender inequality. More females are going through the health stress of unemployment than males in Pakistan.
Causes of Unemployment in Pakistan
If you take a closer look at Pakistan’s economic conditions and its policy systems, you can understand why the rates of unemployment have skyrocketed.
Some of the causes of unemployment in Pakistan are:
Overgrowth of Population
Pakistan’s population will reach 245 million by 2030. Alarming, isn’t it?
This is one of the major social issues that Pakistan faces. Lack of awareness and responsibility is the main reason behind it.
If you tell someone with lots of children about family planning, his answer would be ‘Allah ke kaam hain, In mein dakhal nahe detay’.
Due to such a mindset, Pakistan is facing a population explosion. We have to take responsibility for our future generations by preserving natural resources as much as we can.
Illiteracy
Illiteracy also comes with overpopulation. With a large family, comes major responsibilities. There are too many mouths to feed and clothe. It becomes difficult for a family head to send his children to school.
Illiteracy, in turn, becomes the cause of unemployment.
Flawed Education System
The education system of Pakistan is extremely flawed. It is unable to teach the young generation the essential skills needed to excel in life. The parents have an obsession with deciding career paths for their offspring.
‘Agar Beta hua tou Engineer, Beti hui tou Doctor’ mindset is so common.
As a result, some parts of the education system bear the burden. Too many doctors and engineers are passing out, yet unemployed due to lack of positions. This leads to the major health stress of unemployment.
Economic State of Pakistan
You must be well aware of the current economic state of Pakistan. With dollar rates skyrocketing, petrol and fuel prices hitting an all-time high, this is no secret.
The price of every single thing has become so high. Middle-class people are barely able to cover everyday expenses.
No doubt, part of the reason is the COVID-19 outbreak and the series of lockdowns. In the aftermath, the economy has suffered even more badly.
Energy Crisis
The 90s babies have grown up with load-shedding.
Pakistan has been facing an energy crisis for almost 20 years. Most fuels are exported. The electricity produced in the country is also at a high cost. It’s so hard for people to pay large electricity bills, because they use a little, but pay high prices.
Due to the energy crisis, the government can’t produce more jobs.
Effects of Unemployment
The effects of unemployment are many. Some of them can be listed:
Less Money
This is an adverse effect on an individual!
Due to unemployment, people are left with less money. Sometimes, they don’t have enough to buy the necessary items. It gets even worse if they have to support large families.
Health Stress & Mental Disturbance
Unemployment takes a huge toll on mental health.
Experts at Doctors Hospital say that if an individual is highly qualified but is unable to find a reasonable job, tension can drain him. Moreover, the brain gets affected the most. Long-term effects of stress lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and many other mental health problems.
Tension strains and stresses the body. When the body gets stressed, it can lead to other health problems e.g. heart attack, hypertension, etc.
The effects of unemployment get worse when individuals attempt suicide and try to take their own lives.
Economic Suffering
Economic Instability leads to literally breaking the backbone of a country.
Dr. Samar Mughal who is one of the top psychologists in Pakistan says, if the rate of unemployed people is high, the economy will suffer and the unemployment rate will increase with the downfall of the economy. This vicious circle keeps on going until the right decisions are made by the government. The burden of foreign debt (from the IMF, and World Bank) will increase.
Social Dilemmas
The effects of unemployment leave people with no income. And sometimes, with no morals also. Social dilemmas such as crimes (theft, robbery, attempted murder) increase when a person has no morals and no money.
Labor Exploitation
Due to unemployment, the labor force is extremely exploited and taken advantage of. They are forced to do heavy jobs for just a menial amount of pay.
The money becomes such a necessity that they even agree to bear long hours and unfavorable conditions.
Marital Problems
Marital problems occur when the needs of the family are not being fulfilled. In Pakistan, the male is mostly the only earner of the house, and they have to bear the brunt of unemployment the most. This can lead to marital fights and marriage problems.
Conclusion
While the effects of unemployment are many, and no one can deny the health stress that comes with it. There are several things you can do to reduce the negative impact of being unemployed.
- Don’t push back your feelings. Own them, and try to sort them out.
- Don’t beat yourself up all the time, and try to look at the positive sides whenever possible.
- Think of it as a temporary setback. Good things are on the way.
- Be in contact with family and friends. Don’t isolate yourself.
- In an online world, you have the advantage to start networking. You can earn more that way.
- Above all, take good care of yourself. A weak brain cannot take you very far. Do exercise. Eat well to maintain your energy and positivity.
- Keep on trying, though.
If you want to know more about mental health, you should read how to keep your mental health intact through some simple ways.
If you feel the health stress is getting too much, and unbearable for you, you should seek the help of a counselor. You can consult the best psychologists in Lahore via Healthwire.pk or you can also call (042)32500989 to book an appointment.
