World Population Day - 11 July 2024 | Theme, History & Importance

World Population Day is an annual event observed every year on the 11th of July to spread awareness not only about the increasing population and its impact on society, nations, and environment but also educating the public to control it.

The day came into existence when the world population reached 500 crores in 1987, intending to address the public interest and educate the people about the population issues like benefits of family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health, human rights, etc.

World Population Day 2024 Theme 

This year 2024, the world population day theme is “To Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone.” Over the past thirty years, countries worldwide have made tremendous advances in demographic data collection, analysis, and use. New population estimates, disaggregated by age, ethnicity, gender, and other criteria, more accurately reflect the diversity of our society.

These innovations have considerably improved global healthcare delivery, resulting in significant improvements in sexual and reproductive health and the ability to exercise rights and make choices. New technologies allow more detailed and timely measurement of people's experiences.

Year By Year Themes for World Population Day 

• World Population Day theme 2023: Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world's infinite possibilities 
• World Population Day theme 2022: A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all - Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all 
• World Population Day theme 2021: The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on fertility
• World Population Day theme 2020: How to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls amid the Covid-19 pandemic 
• World Population Day theme 2019: 25 years of the ICPD: accelerating the promise 
• World Population Day theme 2018: Family Planning is a Human Right
  

History of World Population Day

The World Population Day was established in 1989 by the then Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme to address the urgency and importance of population issues created due to outgrowing population; in 1987, the world population had reached 500 crores. This figure triggered the idea of having a dedicated day to promote awareness of population issues, including their ties to the environment and development.

After the establishment of world population day in 1990, the United Nations decided to continue this event and the first event was witnessed on the 11th of July 1990 in 90 countries.

World Population Day - Importance and Significance

According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Although the global population growth rate will continue to decline in the coming decades, the world's population will likely to be in between 20-30% greater in 2050 than in 2020.

It is undeniable that the growing world population is becoming a threat to human survival. In 2017, the world population was around 700 crores; this year, in 2024, it is reported as 810 crores. Because of overpopulation, the world's natural resources are depleting daily at an unsustainable rate.

Health science and technology advancements have reduced mother and child mortality and increased life span. However, it is evident that overgrowing population is a challenge to climate change and the violence faced by too many people is still based on their gender, ethnicity, class, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and origin.

So, to curb the threat to a healthy society and provide a better and sustainable future for the upcoming generation, it is essential to create awareness and educate people about the risk associated with overpopulation.

The objective of the World Population Day

• Educating youth about sexuality and late marriage till they understand their responsibilities.
• World population day intended to protect and empower youth of both genders.
• Promoting youth-friendly measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
• Educating people to avoid gender stereotypes in society.
• As part of essential primary health care, ensuring every couple has unhindered access to reproductive health services.
• Educating couples about pregnancy-related illnesses to make them aware of early childbirth danger.

Know more about world health awareness days