World Population Day

World Population Day History

World Population Day aims at raising awareness about global population issues and highlighting the importance of population trends and their impact on development. It focuses on various relevant aspects such as family planning, gender equality, maternal health, poverty, and human rights that are crucial in achieving a more balanced, sustainable, and equitable world. The day aims to encourage the international community, governmental bodies as well as citizens, to work together to address the challenges posed by an ever-growing population and to create a better future for all.

Established by the United Nations in 1989, World Population Day is rooted in the interest generated by "Five Billion Day" which marked the approximate date when the world's population reached five billion. India, currently the second most populous country in the world, plays a significant role in addressing concerns related to population growth. It faces unique challenges such as rapid urbanization, poverty alleviation, providing quality education and healthcare, and ensuring gender equality. Emphasizing family planning and women's empowerment is particularly important in India as these measures can contribute to better population management and help the nation to attain sustainable development goals.

In India, World Population Day is observed through a range of activities such as seminars, discussions, debates, and awareness campaigns to engage people in meaningful conversations about population-related challenges. Key stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, educational institutions, and local communities, collaborate to educate the public about the importance of family planning, health, and resource management to address India's population growth. World Population Day is observed on the same date globally, which is the 11th of July, emphasizing the shared responsibility in addressing the issue for the progress of both India and the world.

World Population Day facts

• The theme for World Population Day in 2023 was 8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities: The case for rights and choices.
  The theme in for World Population Day in 2022 was A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all - harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all.
• The annual growth rate of the world's population peaked at 2.1% in 1962 and since been decreasing. It is estimated that by the year 2100, the population will slow to 0.06% annual growth.
• India has a relatively young population, with more than half of its people under the age of 25.
• India is experiencing rapid urbanization, with nearly 35% of its total population now living in urban areas. Major urban centers in India include Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai.

In the News and Trending in India for World Population Day

Top things to do in India for World Population Day

• Reduce your carbon footprint to slow global warming and pollution. Walk instead of driving, use energy saving light bulbs, carpool with others, turn down the AC/heat when you are not home, and reuse and recycle paper, bottles, and plastics.
• Spread the word about birth control methods. Over half of the pregnancies every year in the US are unplanned and could have been prevented by birth control methods such as pills, rings, IUDs and condoms.
• Watch Cities of Sleep (2016), a documentary that delves into the issue of homelessness and lack of safe sleeping spaces in Delhi, India.
• Read a book to learn more about the population of India. Here are some recommendations:
  1. Population and Society in India: A Profile of the Indian Population Today and Tomorrow by P.R. Dubashi
  2. Population and Development in India since Independence by S. N. Agarwal
  3. India: The Urban Transition- A Case Study of Development Urbanism by Henrik Valeur