The entire world is observing the international World Population Day today. The day is celebrated across the globe on July 11 to draw attention towards the issues arising out of rising population. The day also raises awareness about the importance of family planning, child marriage, gender equality, human rights, etc.
As per the reports, the world population reached the 7 billion mark in 2011, and it now stands around at 7.7 billion and is expected to grow to nearly 8.5 billion in 2030. In India which has the world’s second-largest population after China population control is very important.
The United Nations has sent up a population fund (UNFPA) and a population division to plan programs and coordinate with other agencies in order to highlight and disseminate information about population control measures.
History of World Population Day
The World Population Day was established by the UN in year 1989. On July 11, 1987 since the world’s population had crossed 5 billion, it was decided to create awareness regarding the growing population on a global scale. A resolution to the effect was passed, and the first World Population Day was observed on July 11, 1990.
Significance of World Population Day
The World Population Day is observed with the goal of highlighting the problems created by overpopulation and raising awareness about how it can harm the ecosystem and progress of humanity.
Theme of World Population Day 2021
The theme of World Population Day 2021 is ‘the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on fertility’. The main motive is to shed more light on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive behaviour globally.
It is organised by the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA).
