World Population Day

Why is World Population Day celebrated?

When did World Population Day begin?

Who suggested world population day?

What is the theme for World Population Day 2022?

What are the frightening facts and figures?

On 11th July 1987 world population crossed 5 billion, and the day was called “Five Billion Day.” 

In 1989, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended the inception of 11th July as world population day. Sr Demographer Dr K.C.Zachariah suggested observing the day.  It is the day to pay attention to the immediate need of population issues.

Some of the objectives of celebrating world population day are

  • To protect and empower youths.
  • To educate youth about sexuality and delay marriages till they become responsible.
  • To make the couple aware to avoid unwanted pregnancies by using reasonable and youth-friendly measures.
  • To create social awareness to remove the gender stereotypes from society.
  • Alert people about pregnancy-related illnesses.
  • To raise public awareness about early childbirth danger.
  • To caution people about various infections like STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
  • Make primary education a must for both girls and boys.
  • To give easy access to reproductive health services everywhere as part of the primary health for adults.

The world population today is estimated at 7.96 Billion. The effects of population explosion are many. According to a new United Nations report, population explosion can reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 2100. An expanding earth theory or shrinking theory cannot be relied on.

Frightening facts and figures

The population chart shows that the world’s 36% population are in two Asian countries, China and India, about 36% of the total world population and 67% of Asia’s population. The population density in India is worse than in China but better than in Bangladesh. Again population growth is more in Pakistan and Nigeria. There is no evidence to show that the earth is expanding at the same rapid rate of population growth. Singapore is the world’s most overpopulated state, followed by Israel and Kuwait. Vatican city is the least populated country in the world with a population of just over 800 persons. According to Census 2011, the most populated state in India is Uttar Pradesh with a population of 19.96 crores. The least populated state in the country is Sikkim with a population of 60,7688.

World Population Day Theme for 2022

This year’s World Population Day theme is A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all, harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all.

Unlimited effects of limitless population

The increase in population leads to more depletion of resources like water and food. Our planet can produce a limited amount of good quality food, but if we try to double produce quantity, we can, but the quantity will increase, but the quality will reduce. It causes damage to ecosystems. 

Our environment has to bear the brunt of our heavy consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas. It will produce high CO2 causing global warming, melting polar ice, and rising sea levels leading imbalance in the environment and unbalanced life for human beings. 

About 97% of water covers the earth, but drinking water source is little, available is 1.2%. Scarcity of water can bring scary war situations between countries and between states. Right now, it is not a reel situation. It is a real problem which we are facing.

An overpopulated country cannot produce employment as equal to population growth. It will become the hub for unemployment. Further unemployment causes poverty, increases the crime rate, and socioeconomic imbalance and the country remains undeveloped country. 

The difference in demand and supply of commodities will create a high cost of living. Awareness about the population explosion is the need of the hour. Overpopulation causes an increase in health problems that need immediate attention. Ultimately, we have another way, but the viability is not explored yet. We need to shift to another planet like Mars. 

Reverse also with adverse effects

Vatican City is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state. But it can flourish because it is the seat or office of a bishop of Rome, with 6 million people visiting it each year.

The top 5 problems of the less populated countries are

  • The decline in services and infrastructure.
  • Depend on immigrants for the military to protect the country.
  • Rise in the dependency ratio. 
  • Care cannot be given to elders due to a shortage of caregivers. 
  • There will be negative economic growth due to a negative population.