World population day seeks to focus on the importance and urgency of the population issues. It was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989.
In November 2022, the world population eclipsed 8 billion people. In 2023 India is projected to become the most populous country, surpassing China. As per projections, the most likely scenario is a population of 9.7 billion in 2050 and 10.9 billion in 2100. During 2023, 4.3 births and 2.0 deaths are expected worldwide every 1 second.
Activities organised on this day include seminars, discussions, educational sessions, public contest, workshops, and debates. Not only this, even TV channels, news channels, radio broadcast of various programmes related to population, and the importance of family planning.
2023 as in 2022 will focus on safeguarding the health and rights of women and girls.
According to the United Nations’ Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Sustainable Development 2030 agenda is the world’s blueprint for a better future for all on a healthy planet. “On World Population Day we recognise that this mission is closely interrelated with demographic trends including population growth, aging, migration, and urbanisation”.
Population issues include family planning, gender equality, child marriage, human rights, right to health, baby’s health, etc. Therefore, World Population Day focuses on the importance of reproductive health and how it affects overall growth and development plans and programmes.
By improving health, empowering women, population growth comes down. Let us pledge to effectively control population explosion through family planning for a better future.
