Observing World Population Day is a chance to reflect on the progress we’ve made as a species. We live in an era when more people than ever before have access to greater levels of education and a better quality of life than ever before. For centuries, societies that invest in their people, in their rights and freedom of choice, have shown that this is the best path to prosperity and peace for everybody.
When the world’s population reaches 8 billion in the next few months, we should remember that a lot of discussion and debate, as well as some scaremongering about “too many” people, are anticipated to follow this significant event. Making such an error would be a grave error of judgment.
Coercive and ineffective policies, such as women being encouraged to have children or stopped from doing so, might result from a focus on population numbers and growth rates alone. Restrictions on women’s access to reproductive health care or on pensions for the elderly might further marginalize those who have already been left behind by policies like these.
A single figure cannot tell the whole narrative of the people. With more people in the globe today, we are also seeing an unparalleled level of demographic variety. Around two-thirds of the world’s population today lives in a nation or region with fertility below replacement, or less than 2.1 births per woman. Others are younger and more populous. It’s no secret that more and more people are fleeing war zones and climate change hot spots. Recognizing and adapting to these transitions is essential for maximizing opportunities while minimizing risks.
People aren’t the issue, they’re the answer to it. It’s our mission at the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to help people understand and anticipate demographic shifts. In order to guarantee that all citizens may fulfill their full potential, each nation should have the necessary knowledge. When individuals have the freedom to make educated decisions about whether and when to have children, when they can exercise their rights and duties, they become the basis of more inclusive, flexible, and sustainable communities.
First, there must be an effort to count not only persons, but also potential for growth and obstacles that stand in its way. In order to go forward, we need to break down barriers imposed by discriminatory conventions. A more equitable use of resources and a more equitable distribution of wealth will help ensure that the needs of current and future generations can be met.
There is more to each and every one of us than just a number. However, before we begin to count, let’s do it with caution. People, society, and our planet all have the potential to live and develop in an 8 billion-person world that protects individual rights and freedoms.
