Demography of Danger
Youth Bulge and the New Age of Crime
Book Overview
In Demography of Danger: Youth Bulge and the New Age of Crime, authors Dr. Muhammad Atif and Dr. Sadaf Mahmood confront one of the most volatile challenges of the 21st century: the demographic paradox of the developing world. As nations in South Asia, Africa, and the MENA region experience a seismic demographic shift, a massive ‘youth bulge’ presents a dual reality—it is either a potent demographic dividend or a ticking time bomb of instability.
Drawing on robust sociological frameworks including Strain Theory and Social Disorganization Theory, this volume dissects the “drivers of desperation” that transform demographic abundance into societal volatility. The authors argue that the convergence of high unemployment, educational disconnects, and institutional inertia does not merely increase crime rates but fundamentally alters the typology of crime itself—evolving from traditional street deviance to complex, digitized frontiers of cybercrime, organized gang violence, and political extremism.
Through a comparative lens focusing on Pakistan—where nearly 64% of the population is under 30—and extending to broader regional analyses, the book serves as both a warning and a blueprint. It posits that the difference between national prosperity and the “new age of crime” lies in the capacity of state and society to bridge the socio-economic chasm and offer a burgeoning generation the dignity of opportunity.
About the Authors
Dr. Muhammad Atif
Dr. Muhammad Atif is a distinguished academic and project management professional with over two decades of experience across academia, government, and development sectors. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology and Director of Monitoring & Evaluation at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF). Previously, he served as Project Director at the Ministry of Human Rights Pakistan, spearheading automated frameworks and gender-inclusive policies. Dr. Atif has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications on youth extremism and public policy.
Dr. Sadaf Mahmood
Dr. Sadaf Mahmood is an Associate Professor and Chairperson in the Department of Rural Sociology at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Earning her PhD from Germany under the Faculty Development Program, her career includes leadership roles at Government College University Faisalabad and Women University Multan. As an HEC-approved supervisor, she has mentored over 45 research scholars. Her work focuses on gender perspectives, climate change, and international migration, with a particular interest in the socio-economic impacts of demographic shifts.
Endorsements & Reviews
“A seminal work that refuses to treat demographics as destiny. Atif and Mahmood provide a chilling yet necessary roadmap of the collision between youth aspirations and structural stagnation. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the future of security in the Global South.”
“The ‘Demography of Danger’ is a wake-up call for policymakers. By linking the micro-level frustrations of the ‘educated unemployed’ to macro-level security shifts, this book redefines our understanding of modern social instability. It eloquently captures the ‘drivers of desperation’ that turn potential dividends into societal liabilities.”
“Timely and rigorous. The authors masterfully integrate sociological theory with empirical realities, from the streets of Karachi to the digital frontiers of cybercrime. This volume is not just a critique of the broken social contract, but a compelling plea for the inclusive development needed to defuse the demographic bomb.”
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