The world dedicates 11th July to the commemoration of World Population Day, an initiative started by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989. The primary objective of observing this day is to cast a spotlight on the criticality and urgency of issues related to population. Enabling this mission is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), an organization tirelessly working towards creating awareness about the multifaceted problems associated with rampant population growth.
About the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Previously known as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA is a dedicated organization under the umbrella of the UN, established in 1969. Its core mandate involves supporting family planning initiatives.
Under UNFPA’s stewardship, countries are able to ensure a consistent and dependable supply of high-quality contraceptives. This is coupled with strengthening national health systems and advocating for policies that promote family planning. To ensure the efficacy of its work, UNFPA also engages in rigorous data gathering processes.
UNFPA’s role in global leadership extends to fostering increased access to family planning. By rallying partners – including governments – it amplifies its mission to develop evidence-backed policies. Beyond policy creation, UNFPA also provides practical, technical, and financial aid, primarily to developing nations.
Current Dynamics of World Population
Presently, the world population increases annually at a pace of approximately 83 million individuals. If fertility rates continue to decrease at the current rate, the global population is projected to burgeon to 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050, and 11.2 billion towards the end of this century, in 2100.
According to ‘The World Population Prospects 2019’, a report released by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, India is expected to surpass China as the most populous nation in the world by 2027. This claim is disputed by the Economic Survey 2018-19 which states that the population growth rate in India may decelerate more rapidly than anticipated as numerous Indian states have already achieved the replacement fertility rate.
| Year | Projected Global Population (in billions) |
|---|---|
| 2030 | 8.6 |
| 2050 | 9.8 |
| 2100 | 11.2 |
India: The Next Most Populous Nation?
The disparity between ‘The World Population Prospects 2019’ report and the Economic Survey 2018-19 forecasts for India deserves a deeper look. The former predicts India to overtake China’s population by 2027. However, the latter suggests a faster decline in India’s population growth rate due to the attainment of the replacement fertility rate in several Indian states. Both projections highlight the complex dynamics of population trends and underline the importance of adopting effective population management and family planning strategies.
