World Population Day 2026; July 11th.

FORUM: “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future.” World Population Day 2026. This year's theme reflects a new report on the findings of the UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey, which asked more than 100,000 Internet-connected people aged 18 to 39 in 73 countries about their partnership, reproductive and life aspirations. Societies are “heading towards a demographic cliff”, according to some headlines. The “global baby bust” is the result of a “feminist revolt”, others speculate. Behind the hyperbole is a kernel of truth: Population data do show that around the world fertility rates are falling. Yet many of the attendant claims, from the threat of human extinction to the role of feminism – are rooted in myths and misogyny. 

Today, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, which is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, is releasing findings from its Demographic Futures Survey, one of the largest, most geographically comprehensive surveys to date exploring what young adults want for their reproductive futures. Over 108,000 Internet-connected young adults, aged 18 to 39 from 73 countries, were asked what they want when it comes to relationships, children and the future – and what they feel is standing in their way. These young adults, from every geographical region showed remarkable agreement over what is keeping them from forging partnerships and having children: money and housing. This finding, and many more, can help us put to rest some of the misconceptions surrounding fertility decline. Below, we start with five of the biggest.

1. Myth: Feminism is responsible for birth rate declines.


This claim has been repeated in headlines and hot takes around the world. Yet UNFPA has decades of evidence – from its work with health providers and survivors of gender-based violence, and from its data collection for the Sustainable Development Goals – showing that women are actually often unable to exercise agency over their bodies and reproduction. About a tenth of women are unable to make choices about contraception, a quarter are unable to make decisions about their own healthcare, and a quarter are unable to say no to sex. This information alone gives us reason to question the claim that global fertility decline is the fault of feminism or women’s empowerment.

Fact: Today, the Demographic Futures Survey brings us one of the most robust and current bodies of evidence on this topic – and it shows us that most people, men and women, want children.

 Two is the ideal number in most parts of the world, and in some regions, people on average want more than two. Women are not refusing to have children. They – and men, too – face obstacles to having them. And the most commonly cited obstacles are financial security, stable employment and housing. Furthermore, the survey found that attitudes around family-related choices are actually relatively consistent between men and women. While there are some differences – such as men being more likely than women to disapprove of parents divorcing while having young children, and all respondents being more disapproving of mothers with young children working full-time jobs compared to fathers of young children – these gaps tend to be minimal. On the other hand, women’s rating of barriers to childbearing was consistently higher; every single barrier to having children (financial concerns, infertility, chronic health issues, etc.) was considered more important by women than by men. Again, this suggests that declining fertility rates are not the “fault” of feminism or women’s attitudes, but the burdens that all young adults face, which are often disproportionately heavy for women.


2. Myth: Young people are rejecting marriage and parenthood.


From kitchen tables to think tanks to parliaments, many assume that young people are refusing both marriage and children. Solutions, the thinking goes, should involve promoting marriage and childbearing.

Fact: The Demographic Futures Survey shows us that marriage and parenthood are still widely held goals. Over two thirds of respondents see marriage as their ideal.

But the path to marriage and parenthood is challenging. Almost 80 per cent of respondents say partnership is an important precondition for becoming a parent, the survey finds. This mirrors what UNFPA has seen in its youth programmes: “Finding the right partner is important because I believe that raising a child should be a shared responsibility with emotional and financial support from both parents,” a young woman from India shared with us last year.

Yet not everyone is finding a partner. Out of all respondents aged 25 to 39, approximately one quarter say they want a partner but are currently single and not dating. Men were more likely to say this than women.

What are the biggest barriers to getting married or being in a stable, cohabiting relationship? The largest proportion of people, 57 per cent of respondents, cited economic and housing constraints.

3. Myth: “Collapsing” teen birth rates are a problem for societies.

This myth is often expressed in alarmist tones. Some even claim falling adolescent pregnancy rates threaten humanity with extinction. Is there any merit to this claim? No.

Fact: Adolescent fertility rates are declining – this is a public health success. It means more girls are able to complete school and avoid the health consequences of early pregnancy; many of them will still go on to become mothers.

Declining adolescent fertility has significantly contributed to overall global fertility declines, research shows. But that does not mean it is a problem, nor does it mean we should encourage more adolescent parenthood. After all, the goal should not be to change people’s minds about when and whether to become parents, but to create the conditions that enable them to responsibly realize their aspirations on their own terms. “Bringing a child into the world is only one step. The real challenge is raising them,” a young man in Paraguay told UNFPA.

Here is where data from the Demographic Futures Survey give critical insight. What is keeping people from having the children they want? Financial security, stable employment, and psychological and emotional readiness are the top three most important preconditions for parenthood, the survey finds. This offers specific areas, from education policies to community health services to job security and work protections, where policymakers can take action to meet people’s own stated needs.

4. Myth: Young adults are too selfish to have children.
5. Myth: People are not sufficiently incentivized to become parents.

These last two myths are linked. The first assumes that young adults are simply too focused on themselves – too busy having fun, perhaps – to undertake the hard but necessary work of parenting. The second assumes that the rewards of parenting should be material. If people do not require children for labour or eldercare, and if children are expected to simply consume their parents’ resources before moving away, the thinking goes, then people will naturally forgo parenthood. Both presume selfish motives for having or not having children.

Fact: The Demographic Futures Survey shows that the most common reason respondents gave to become a parent is the joy and happiness children bring.

Most of the survey respondents already have children, and the vast majority of those without children by ages 35 to 39 (79 per cent of men and 72 per cent of women) still want to become parents. Most people are not selfishly refusing to become parents, nor are they waiting for babies to promise a better return on investment. Among all respondents, of all ages, 80 per cent said the joy of parenthood is a key factor. Having children for utilitarian reasons, such as government encouragement or because children are needed for the future workforce, was the least motivating for prospective parents. Handwringing over the partnering and parenting choices of young people (especially young women) is an age-old pastime. But the survey released today offers a more productive and positive path forward for policymakers – one responding to people’s stated goals and concerns, one based on evidence instead of assumptions.

Follow the conversation with the hashtags #WorldPopulationDay; #11july, #sustainablefuture, #programmeofaction, #population, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #CountEveryone #megatrends, #icpd30.

EVENT: On Saturday, July 11th, a webinar to mark the World Population Day 2026 will be held. The report entitled "Lives, Choices and Futures." published on 7 July, just ahead of World Population Day – a timely opportunity to place evidence at the centre of global discussions on demographic change, reproductive rights and sustainable development. Register to participate and Watch the livestream!

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director on World Population Day 2026; July11th.


We are living through a time of profound demographic change. Some countries have historically large numbers of young people. Others are experiencing rapid population ageing. And many are navigating both. Societies and economies are being reshaped by intersecting crises, rising inequalities and disruptive technologies. At the same time, information and misinformation are redefining how we perceive the world around us.

How do young adults see their lives, ambitions and futures in a world of constant change? This is the question at the heart of UNFPA’s recent Demographic Futures Survey. The survey is one of the largest bodies of evidence to date on young people’s life goals with respect to relationships and families.

What we found is that most still hope for partnership and parenthood, yet many feel they may never see these dreams materialize. Today, fragile labour markets, widening inequalities and protracted conflict have left many young people struggling to imagine how they can build the families and futures they want.

Some people assume that younger generations have given up on marriage and children altogether. Our survey tells a different story. Most respondents say their ideal relationship involves marriage. Yet among those who want a partner, many are single and not dating. Economic and housing constraints were the most commonly cited barriers to partnership. Most of those surveyed also want children – and across most regions, two is the most common ideal family size. But many question whether they will have the stability and security to house and care for them.

In short, it is uncertainty, not unwillingness, that has young people questioning whether they can start the families they want.

In response to changing demographic trends, including ageing and low fertility, governments are exploring a wide range of policies. But policies will not succeed if they pressure people towards particular choices or fail to address the barriers young people themselves identify.

As one young community leader told us, “This isn’t just about choosing to have fewer children. It’s about having fewer choices.”

What young people are telling us is clear: They need a sense of security to plan for their future, and the agency to carry that plan out. The onus is on leaders everywhere to support these aspirations.

With smart, forward-looking investments in their rights and choices – from housing and healthcare to parental leave and childcare support, young people can exercise autonomy over their bodies and their lives and build the futures they want. They can realize the right to make the most intimate, consequential decisions of their lives.

The world today is full of opportunities, not only challenges. Communities and economies will innovate, develop resilience and thrive when young people can, too.

Young people – from North to South, from East to West – have spoken. It’s time to listen. And it is time to help create the conditions that allow them to make real choices, create the families they want and realize their hopes and aspirations.

Ms. Diene Keita, UNFPA Executive director.

PUBLICATION: What young adults want and what shapes their decisions about parenthood and relationships. Findings from the Demographic Futures Survey 2026.

Around the world, demographic change is prompting urgent debate about fertility, family life and the future. Lives, Choices and Futures, UNFPA’s report on the findings of the 2025-2026 Demographic Futures Survey brings together one of the most geographically diverse bodies of evidence on how young adults’ hopes and decisions about relationships, parenthood and the future take place in an uncertain world. Through the voices of over 108,000 Internet-connected people aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries, this report shows that many young people continue to value partnership and parenthood, but the conditions to realize these aspirations often feel out of reach.

The findings reveal:

• More than two thirds of respondents want to marry or live with a partner.
• Two children is the most commonly reported ideal family size in five out of seven regional groupings.
• Economic and housing constraints constitute the most common obstacles to forming partnerships.
• Financial security is the top consideration for entering a partnership (81%) and parenthood (88%).
• Young respondents also consider stable employment (87%) and emotional readiness (85%) as important preconditions for becoming parents.
• Two thirds feel somewhat or very positive about the future despite worries about conflict, economic insecurity and inequality.

While the data are weighted by age, sex and education level, these findings are not nationally representative and should not be interpreted as population-level estimates. Instead, they provide comparative insights into the views of Internet-connected young adults surveyed across regions. The data tells us what these young adults value, what they worry about, what they see as important for partnership and parenthood, and what conditions they report as shaping their choices. This report offers a flagship evidence base to inspire further research and shift policy and public debate. It moves the conversation away from panic, population targets and assumptions about young people’s choices. Instead it focuses on the social, economic and institutional conditions that enable young people to have the families they want and build the lives they aspire to lead. Lives, Choices and Futures provides vital evidence to inform global policy discussions on demographic change, reproductive rights and sustainable development. The findings affirm that long-term investments in young people and cross-sector policies on education, employment security, housing, reproductive health services, and social protection will help them contribute to societies that are innovative, resilient and economically robust. Read the full report!

Launch of the World Population Highlights 2026: Youth by the United Nations Population Division.

Young people are a vital driving force in all societies, contributing energy, innovation and creativity to national development and to the achievement of the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Yet, many continue to face significant barriers that limit young people’s ability to realise their full potential and to participate meaningfully in society. The World Population Highlights 2026: Youth provides sound, comparable and timely data on global youth population trends, including changes in size and geographical distribution and key dimensions of youth well-being. The report identifies priority actions to reduce disparities, promote sustainable livelihoods, improve health outcomes — including sexual and reproductive health — and strengthen the protection of young people’s rights. The findings of this report can help policymakers, youth advocates and civil society to integrate population foresight into the formulation of policies and programmes and to ensure that demographic change contributes to a more equitable, inclusive, resilient and sustainable future for current and future generations. The report supports Youth2030, the United Nations system-wide youth strategy guiding global action with and for young people. Read full report the Ten Key Messages, get the social media cards and the SDG Blog: Demographic change and the transformative force of youth.

LIVESTREAM: United Nations Population Award 2026 Ceremony.

The aim of the UN Population Award Ceremony is to celebrate the achievements of laureates and their contributions to the development and/or implementation of solutions to issues and questions related to population and development.

The Secretary-General's message for the 2026 United Nations Population Award Ceremony, to be delivered by the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Diene Keita

The United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Population Award in resolution 36/201 on 17 December 1981. The Award is presented annually to an individual or individuals, or to an institution or institutions, or to any combination thereof, for the most outstanding contribution to the awareness of population questions or to their solutions.

Each year, the Committee for the United Nations Population Award honours an individual and/or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health questions and to their solutions. The Award was established by the General Assembly in 1981, in resolution 36/201, and was first presented in 1983. It consists of a gold medal, a diploma and a monetary prize.

The Committee for the United Nations Population Award is comprised of 10 UN Member States, with United Nations Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director serving as ex-officio members. Nominations for the award are accepted through 31 December of each year.View less
Related Sites and Documents: Website.

Watch the 2026 United Nations Population Awards Ceremony!

Meetings & Events

World Population Day 2025; July 11th.

FORUM: ".Empowering Youth to Build the Families They Want." World Population Day 2025. Global fertility rates are falling, prompting warnings about “population collapse.” But the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s State of World Population report shows the real issue is a lack of reproductive agency—many people, especially youth, are unable to have the children they want. The observance this year, will highlight this challenge, focusing on the largest-ever generation of young people. The theme calls for ensuring youth have the rights, tools, and opportunities to shape their futures. Young people are already driving change, but face major obstacles: economic insecurity, gender inequality, limited healthcare and education, climate disruption, and conflict. A UNFPA–YouGov survey of over 14,000 people in 14 countries found most wanted more children but were prevented by social, economic, or health barriers. To respond to global population trends effectively, leaders must prioritize young people’s needs and voices. They need more than services—they need hope, stability, and a future worth planning for. As one youth activist told UNFPA, “Young people are not just thinking about their future children—they are thinking about the world those children will inherit.” Supporting their rights is key to sustainable development, peace, and human dignity. The UNFPA’s flagship State of World Population report showcases global population data, including fertility rate, gender parity in school enrolment, information on sexual and reproductive health, and much more. Together, these data shine a light on the health and rights of people around the world, especially women and young people. This World Population Day reminds us that reproductive freedom is not about the ability to have children, but to build a world where every young person has the power to decide for themselves, when, with whom and how many children they will have. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldPopulationDay; #11july, #sustainablefuture, #programmeofaction, #population, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #CountEveryone #megatrends, #icpd30.

EVENTS: On July 11th; the high-level event to mark World Population Day 2025 under the theme “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” , the UNFPA and the Specialized agencies will highlight the need or reliable data collection and analysis tools. This World Population Day is a moment to ask who is still going uncounted and why – and what this costs individuals, societies and our global efforts to leave no one behind. It is also a moment for all of us to commit to doing more to ensure that our data systems capture the full range of human diversity so that everyone is seen, can exercise their human rights and can reach their full potential which will help achieve progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.“ During the celebration, we will reflect not just on numbers– but on lives, futures, and the shared responsibility we all hold in shaping a sustainable world. UNFPA emphasizes that supporting young people to realize their reproductive potential is not only a matter of health, but also a matter of sustainable development. Ensuring access to comprehensive sexual education, youth-friendly health services, employment opportunities, and inclusive decision-making processes are all essential steps towards creating a better future for young people. Read the concept note and register to participate!

PUBLICATIONS: Read the UNDESA World Population Prospects and the UNFPA 2025 State of World Population report entitled ‘The Real Fertility Crisis” - In 2025, falling fertility rates are making global headlines, with some governments warning of a “population collapse” and introducing drastic policies to boost births. But at the same time, millions of people still can’t have the number of children they actually want. According to UNFPA’s latest State of World Population report, the real crisis isn’t about population numbers. It’s about people losing the ability to make their own choices. It’s a crisis of reproductive freedom.

LIVESTREAM: Launch of the UNFPA 2025 State of World Population Report.

STATEMENTS: Read the statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on World Population Day 2025

On this World Population Day, we celebrate the potential and promise of the largest youth generation ever.

They are not only shaping our future; they are demanding one that is just, inclusive, and sustainable.

The theme -- "Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world” – reaffirms the promise of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development: that every person has the right to make informed choices about their lives and futures.

Many young people today face economic uncertainty, gender inequality, health challenges, the climate crisis and conflict.

Still, they are leading – with courage, conscience and clarity. And they are calling for systems that uphold their rights and support their choices.

I urge countries to invest in policies that ensure education, healthcare, decent work, and the full protection of their reproductive rights.

Let us stand with young people and build a future where every person can shape their destiny in a world that is fair, peaceful and full of hope.

António Guterres; United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement by UNFPA Executive Director on World Population Day 2025; July 11th.

Our human population is the subject of growing interest – and intensifying anxiety. The concerns that draw most attention are declining fertility rates, ageing and workforce shortages, while many still argue that the greatest threat to the planet is overpopulation. The real fertility crisis, however, is lack of reproductive agency. Young people are too often unable to create the families they want, while at the same time being blamed for low fertility rates and saddled with the expectation of resolving them.

It is often assumed or implied that fertility rates are the result of free choice. Unfortunately, that is not the whole picture. Financial stress, health concerns, backlash against women’s rights, global conflicts and concerns about climate change are among the many reasons why young men and women today are not having the number of children they would like, according to UNFPA’s recent State of World Population report. UNFPA surveyed 14,000 people around the world and found that 1 in 5 people under age 50 expect to end up with a family size different from their ideal – and most of them expect they will have fewer children than desired. Of those over age 50, almost a third of respondents said they’d had fewer children than they wanted.

Misguided assumptions – for example, that young people are prioritizing careers over children, or that “selfishness” is leading them off the path to parenthood – can influence policy decisions that often worsen issues they are intended to solve. We see this, for instance, when countries restrict the availability of contraceptives, leading to more unintended pregnancies.

Starting on this World Population Day, let’s listen to what young people want and need and create conditions that enable them to exercise their rights, make their own choices and enjoy a hopeful future.

As one youth activist from Lebanon told UNFPA, “Young people are not just thinking about their future children – they are thinking about the world those children will inherit.”

Secure jobs and sufficient income for housing and other living costs would help young people feel financially stable and broaden their choices about when and whether to have children. Family-friendly policies – including affordable and accessible childcare, generous and flexible parental leave, and promotion of fathers’ participation in care-giving – can help prospective parents balance career and family goals. Investing in comprehensive sexuality education is another imperative that supports informed choices.

Intergenerational understanding is crucial to build trust and strengthen solidarity and fairness across generations. Only shared solutions, grounded in human rights, will meet the demands of a demographically diverse world.

Ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health and rights is a cornerstone for sustainable, inclusive societies. Let’s create the circumstances where people who deeply want to experience the joys and rewards of parenting can meet their fertility goals, where they have hope for a better tomorrow that is supportive of their choices and protective of their rights, one where they and their children will thrive.

UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.

Press Statement of the UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office on World Population Day 2025; July 11th.

On World Population Day, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Pacific calls for a renewed commitment to empowering young people to shape their reproductive futures, highlighting the critical findings of the recently launched 2025 State of World Population Report, titled "The Real Fertility Crisis: The pursuit of reproductive agency in a changing world."

This year's World Population Day theme, "Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world," resonates deeply with the realities faced by millions of young people and women across the Pacific and globally. The 2025 State of World Population Report debunks the simplistic narrative of a "population collapse" and instead reveals a more profound issue: a widespread crisis of reproductive agency, where individuals are unable to have the number of children they desire, whether more, fewer, or none at all.

"The Pacific Islands Countries and Territories (PICTs), with its significant youth bulge – more than half of its estimated 2.7 million population in 2025 is under 25 years –stand at a pivotal moment," stated Ms. Bidisha Pillai, UNFPA Director for the Pacific Island Countries and Representative in Fiji. "While some PICTs experience population growth, others face declines. Regardless of the demographic trend, the core challenge is ensuring that every young person has the information, resources, skills, and freedom to make informed choices about their bodies, their futures, and their families."

This World Population Day, UNFPA Pacific is partnering with the University of the South Pacific (USP) for a panel discussion to shift the conversation from overpopulation to reproductive justice. An ongoing challenge that needs to be addressed; not how many children people are having, but whether they have the freedom to decide for themselves. The panel will bring together technical experts, academics, policymakers, development partners, civil society, students and young people.

“On World Population Day, we reflect not just on numbers– but on lives, futures, and the shared responsibility we all hold in shaping a sustainable world,” said Keshmeer Makun, Lecturer at USP .

The 2025 State of the World Population Report indicates a global adolescent birth rate of 38 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19, with the Asia and Pacific region recording 24. However, some Pacific Island nations exhibit adolescent birth rates significantly higher than both the global and regional averages. Notable examples include Vanuatu (81), Samoa (55), Kiribati (51), and the Solomon Islands (49), suggesting that adolescent girls in these countries are getting pregnant before they are fully equipped to decide if, when, or how many children they want to have. This means that many girls and women in the Pacific still cannot make the reproductive choices they want. Enabling adolescent girls and young women to have the knowledge and life skills to exercise their reproductive rights is crucial to tackle poverty, violence against women and girls, and inequality.

UNFPA emphasizes that supporting young people to realize their reproductive potential is not only a matter of health, but also a matter of sustainable development . Ensuring access to comprehensive sexual education, youth-friendly health services, employment opportunities, and inclusive decision-making processes are all essential steps towards creating a better future for young people.

“UNFPA urges governments and stakeholders to empower young people to make reproductive decisions freely, including by investing in quality education, employment opportunities, and the full range of reproductive health services and reliable information. UNFPA also calls on societies to address all the ways that gender inequality undermines people’s family choices,” added Ms. Pillai.

This World Population Day reminds us that reproductive freedom is not about the ability to have children, but to build a world where every young person has the power to decide for themselves, when, with whom and how many children they will have.

Tairah Firdous; Communication Specialist, UNFPA Pacific Sub-Regional Office.

CEREMONY : 2025 United Nations Population Awards Ceremony.

The aim of the UN Population Award Ceremony is to celebrate the achievements of laureates and their contributions to the development and/or implementation of solutions to issues and questions related to population and development.

The United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Population Award in resolution 36/201 on 17 December 1981. The Award is presented annually to an individual or individuals, or to an institution or institutions, or to any combination thereof, for the most outstanding contribution to the awareness of population questions or to their solutions.

Each year, the Committee for the United Nations Population Award honours an individual and/or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health questions and to their solutions. The Award was established by the General Assembly in 1981, in resolution 36/201, and was first presented in 1983. It consists of a gold medal, a diploma and a monetary prize. The Committee for the United Nations Population Award is comprised of 10 UN Member States, with United Nations Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director serving as ex-officio members. Nominations for the award are accepted through 31 December of each year.View less
Related Documents: Website

World Population Day 2024; July 11th.

FORUM: "To leave no one behind, count everyone." World Population Day 2024. as we mark this year observance, the importance of collecting inclusive data – counting everyone, everywhere, as they are – takes the spotlight. An often unrecognized hero, reliable data have helped drive global advancements in women’s access to reproductive care, reductions in maternal death and improvements in gender equality. But there is much to be done. Thirty years ago, at the landmark International Conference on Population and Development, world leaders called for reliable, timely, culturally relevant data, broken down by gender, ethnicity and other factors. While data collection and analysis tools have vastly improved since then, these changes have also exposed significant information gaps and potential risks, including the misrepresentation or misuse of data. So we have not yet delivered on that call to action. In an increasingly unpredictable world – with rapid population growth in some places, rapid ageing in others, and climate change, conflict and crises everywhere – reliable population data are more important than ever, and must be used to reach and respond to the needs of those who have been left behind. Too many people, communities and needs are going uncounted and unaccounted for. Indeed, research in UNFPA’s flagship State of World Population report shows that the world’s most marginalized communities have been largely excluded from progress. Why? Because we are not prioritizing investments in population data systems, or making data collection safe for all people, or working with marginalized communities to ensure they are represented. New and innovative data tools can bring invisible issues to light and illustrate the full picture of people’s experiences. But these applications must be carefully managed: Biases and risks to privacy remain unresolved concerns around technology such as artificial intelligence, or AI. As the world moves into a new era of data collection, societies must work to ensure that processes respect people’s rights and protect their information, while gathering data that capture multifaceted experiences. Countries and societies must champion data collection that counts people as they are, in all their complexity. To be sure, data alone cannot tell the whole story. Too often, data reduce people to simple statistics – reinforcing stereotypes, biases and stigma. Combating prejudice and inequality requires updating our data-collection processes to be inclusive, equitable and transparent. Individuals are experts in their own experiences. Empowering people, especially those left behind, to share their full stories and selves in data collection is key to a more resilient and equitable future for all. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #WorldPopulationDay; #11july, #sustainablefuture, #programmeofaction, #population, #LeaveNoOneBehind, #CountEveryone #megatrends, #icpd30.

EVENTS: On July 11th; to mark World Population Day 2024, the UNFPA and the Specialized agencies will highlight the need or reliable data collection and analysis tools. This World Population Day is a moment to ask who is still going uncounted and why – and what this costs individuals, societies and our global efforts to leave no one behind. It is also a moment for all of us to commit to doing more to ensure that our data systems capture the full range of human diversity so that everyone is seen, can exercise their human rights and can reach their full potential which will help achieve progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary General on World Population Day 2024; July 11th.

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action. It must also be the year we resolve to accelerate efforts and investments to turn its promises into a reality.

Central to the ICPD Programme of Action is the recognition that women’s sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights are cornerstones of sustainable development.

In the decades since it was adopted, we have made progress. More women than ever have access to modern contraception. Maternal deaths have fallen thirty-four per cent since the year 2000. The women’s movements and civil society have been critical to driving change.

But progress has been unequal and unsteady. It is outrageous that well into the 21st century, around 800 women die needlessly every day in pregnancy and childbirth – the vast majority in developing countries. And in some places, legislative advances in tackling vital issues such as female genital mutilation risk going into reverse.

As the theme of this year’s World Population Day reminds us, investing in data collection is important to understanding problems, tailoring solutions, and driving progress. So is finance. I urge countries to make the most of the Summit of the Future this year to unleash affordable capital for sustainable development.

Let’s deliver on the ICPD Programme of Action for everyone, everywhere.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement from UNFPA Executive Director on World Population Day 2024; July 11th.

For humanity to progress, people must be counted, wherever they are and whoever they are – in all their diversity. To end inequality, to find and grow peace and prosperity, to weave more threads of hope, the world needs to do more for inclusion.

To go uncounted is to be made invisible and, as a result, left unserved. This contributes to a 10-year-old girl being left with no health care when she is displaced during conflict. Or to an older woman with a disability having no safety net when a crisis strikes. It leaves a newborn in a remote indigenous community without the passport to protection that birth registration confers.

Over the last three decades, heeding the call of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, societies around the world have made tremendous strides in improving population data gathering, analysis and use. New population numbers, disaggregated by age, ethnicity, gender and other factors, reflect the diversity of our societies. To take just one example, approximately two thirds of countries now include questions on disability in their censuses.

Advances like these have improved the delivery of health care to people all over the world, resulting in significant leaps forward in sexual and reproductive health and the ability to exercise rights and choices. Increasingly, new technologies are enabling more granular and timely measurement of more people’s experiences than ever before.

Even so, the most marginalized communities are still underrepresented in data, and the consequences of this deeply affect their lives and well-being. Recent UNFPA research reveals acute and growing inequalities, within and among countries. In too many places, for example, women from racial and ethnic minority groups are nearly invisible in statistics tracking maternal deaths. This is one reason why health and social services overlook their needs, and a far greater share of these women die giving birth.

World Population Day 2024 is a moment to ask who is still going uncounted and why – and what this costs individuals, societies and our global efforts to leave no one behind. It is also a moment for all of us to commit to doing more to ensure that our data systems capture the full range of human diversity so that everyone is seen, can exercise their human rights and can reach their full potential.

Thirty years on from Cairo, there’s much to be celebrated but still much work to be done. People may be hard to reach, but no one is unreachable. To realize the rights and choices of those pushed to the margins of our societies, we have to count them – because everyone counts. Our rich human tapestry is only as strong as the weakest thread. When data and other systems work for those on the margins, they work for everyone. This is how we accelerate progress for all.

Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA. 

MEETING: Navigating Megatrends: The ICPD Programme of Action for a Sustainable Future.

Launch of the ICPD30 Think Pieces.

Date: Thursday 11 July 2024.

Time: 11:30 - 1 PM.

Venue: UN Secretariat, New York - Conference Room 6.

Interpretation: French and Spanish 

 ICPD30 in the context of global megatrends

 The vision and values of the landmark 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action (PoA) inspired development priorities worldwide. The core tenet of the ICPD-PoA - that sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and women empowerment are absolute preconditions for sustainable development - is now widely recognized within development agendas. The ICPD-PoA discouraged target-based population policies and affirmed an integrated multi-sectoral approach to development based on human rights, non-discrimination and inclusive human capital development. Recognizing environmental stress, it called to reform unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, and eradicate inequality and multidimensional poverty. Thirty years after the adoption of the Programme of Action, countries face diverse demographic trends and a constellation of challenges including pushback on gender equality and reproductive rights, the climate crisis and increasing conflict that are displacing millions of people, as well as pressures around population ageing and rapid urbanization. While global, regional and national initiatives have advanced many core objectives of the PoA and contributed to progress in the global development agenda, shortfalls in implementation now coincide with new and unfamiliar threats to development. At the midpoint on our way to 2030, about half of SDG targets with available data are moderately or severely off track; and over 30 per cent have either seen no movement or regressed below the 2015 baseline. Impacted by polycrises, the world is back at hunger levels not seen since 2005. Under current trends, 575 million people will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030, with only about one third of countries meeting the target to halve national poverty levels1 . The world’s most 1 United Nations, The Sustainable Development Goals Report, 2023 Special edition. 2 marginalized people, including low-income groups, persons with disabilities, and, racial and ethnic minorities have seen the least progress in achieving their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). At the current pace of decline, maternal mortality in 2030 will still be almost three times higher than the SDG target 3.1 of 70 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. UNFPA’s ICPD30 Think Pieces To mark the 30th anniversary of the ICPD, and as the international community prepares for the Summit of the Future in September 2024, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has produced five Think Pieces exploring key themes shaping the future of the ICPD mandate and providing future-focused ideas on how to achieve the PoA in a world of radical transformation. 

The think pieces are entitled:

 1. Demographic Change and Sustainability 

2. The Future of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 

3. The Future of Population Data 

4. ICPD and Climate Action 

5. A Safe Digital Future 

The think pieces are intended to prompt discussion on future priorities and directions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and accelerating, advancing and amplifying the vision and principles of the ICPD. Developed under UNFPA’s leadership, the Think Pieces include technical contributions from more than 50 experts from the UN system, academia, civil society and INGOs.

The event 

The ICPD30 Think Pieces will be launched on World Population Day (annually celebrated on July 11th) to raise awareness of global population issues. The event will also take place concurrently with the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF), which this year will focus on "Reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises”. The launch session will thus provide a platform for global leaders, policymakers, experts, and advocates to engage in meaningful discussions and reflections on the future role of the ICPD mandate in realizing the promise of the SDGs, and the challenges ahead. 

Key objectives of the launch: 

● Disseminate the key findings and insights from UNFPA's five ICPD30 Think Pieces, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics in population and development and their intersections with global megatrends. 

● Explore the policy implications of the findings and highlight actionable recommendations for governments and other stakeholders to advance the goals of the ICPD-PoA and promote their alignment and integration with the SDGs. 

● Inspire renewed commitment and collective action towards achieving the vision set forth in the ICPD-PoA, ensuring that the next 30 years bring about positive and sustainable change.

● Provide an opportunity for networking and enhanced collaboration among diverse stakeholders working on the key themes shaping the future of the ICPD mandate. 

Target audience: The primary target audience for the event will be Member States (senior government officials and representatives of the permanent missions), as well as civil society organizations, international agencies, experts, and other delegations attending the HLPF. 

Format: Following the welcome address by the moderator, opening remarks will be provided by UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNFPA Deputy Executive Director for Programme, Ms. Diene Keita, alongside the three co-hosts from Canada, Cote d’Ivoire and Japan (TBC), who will officially launch the ICPD30 Think Pieces. A presentation summarising the key findings and messages from the 5 papers will be delivered by the Chief of Population and Development at UNFPA Headquarters. This will be followed by commentaries by experts in population and development issues. In a Q&A session, Member States and other participants in the audience will be encouraged to ask questions or share policy and practice experiences relevant to the topics of the Think Pieces. The moderator will make brief closing remarks at the end of the session.

LIVESTREAM: Navigating Megatrends: The ICPD Programme of Action for a Sustainable Future. Watch the webcast!

World Population Day 2023; July 11th.

FORUM: "Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities." World Population Day 2023. Women and girls make up 49.7% of the global population, yet women and girls are often ignored in discussions on demographics, with their rights violated in population policies. This pervasive injustice keeps women and girls out of school, the workforce and leadership positions; limits their agency and ability to make decisions about their health and sexual and reproductive lives; and heightens their vulnerability to violence, harmful practices and preventable maternal death, with a woman dying every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth. We must advance gender equality to create a more just, resilient and sustainable world. The creativity, ingenuity, resources and power of women and girls are fundamental to addressing demographic and other challenges that threaten our future, including climate change and conflict. When women and girls are empowered by societies to exert autonomy over their lives and bodies, they and their families thrive. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #womenandgirls, #WorldPopulationDay; #11July; #HarnessingOpportunities, #Infinitepossibilities.

EVENTS: On July 11th; to mark the World Population Day 2023, the UNFPA and the Specialized agencies will highlight the need support women and girls around the world, and to advance gender equality to help realize the dreams of all 8 billion of us on our planet. This World Population Day is a reminder that we can achieve the prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future envisioned by the ICPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development if we harness the power of every human being on the planet. When we unlock the full potential of women and girls – encouraging and nurturing their desires for their lives, their families and their careers – we galvanize half the leadership, ideas, innovation, and creativity to better society.

PUBLICATIONS: Read the World Population Propects and the 2023 State of World Population report.

STATEMENTS:

Statement from the United Nations Secretary-General on World Population Day 2023; July 11th.

Our human family is larger than ever.

Yet leaders are falling woefully behind in efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous world for all.

Halfway to the 2030 deadline the Sustainable Development Goals are dangerously off track. Gender equality is almost 300 years away. Progress on maternal health and access to family planning has been glacial.

This year’s World Population Day focuses on unleashing the power of gender equality.

Gender-based discrimination harms everyone – women, girls, men, and boys. Investing in women uplifts all people, communities, and countries.

Advancing gender equality, improving maternal health, and empowering women to make their own reproductive choices are both essential in themselves, and central to achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals.

Let us stand with women and girls fighting for their rights. And let us intensify our quest to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for all 8 billion of us.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Statement from the UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem on World Population Day 2023; July 11th.

Imagine a world where everyone – all 8 billion of us – has a future bursting with promise and potential. Now open your eyes to the current reality that 4 billion women and girls – half of humanity – face discrimination solely based on their gender.

Thirty years ago, at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), we set out to achieve a world in which people lived longer, healthier lives and enjoyed more rights and choices than ever before. This vision has become a reality for many; in fact, the human population is at its highest number ever, thanks in large part to improvements in health care and increased longevity. Yet, as we celebrate the progress that has been made, we must also recognize that for millions, even billions, of others this promise remains out of reach.

This World Population Day is a reminder that we can achieve the prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future envisioned by the ICPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development if we harness the power of every human being on the planet. When we unlock the full potential of women and girls – encouraging and nurturing their desires for their lives, their families and their careers – we galvanize half the leadership, ideas, innovation, and creativity to better society.

Realizing sexual and reproductive health and rights for all is the foundation for gender equality, dignity and opportunity. Nevertheless, over 40 per cent of women around the world cannot exercise their right to make decisions as fundamental as whether or not to have children. Empowering women and girls, including through education and access to modern contraception, helps to support them in their aspirations — and to chart the path of their own lives.

Advancing gender equality is a crosscutting solution to many population concerns. In ageing societies that worry about labour productivity, achieving gender parity in the workforce is the most effective way to improve output and income growth. Meanwhile, in countries experiencing rapid population growth, women’s empowerment through education and family planning can bring enormous benefits by way of human capital and inclusive economic growth.

Thirty years ago, the world united behind a shared vision of the future, one that recognized the rights of women and girls as central to global development. The solution is clear: Accelerating the advancement of gender equality – through access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, improved education, appropriate labour policies, and equitable norms in the workplace and home – will result in healthier families, stronger economies, and resilient societies.

That message of gender equality is as powerful today as it was then; our resolve must be as well. Let us unite once more to imagine a world in which every one of us has the equal opportunity to thrive, and let us join forces to ensure a reality in which every nation’s real wealth – no matter its size or stage of development – is its people, and that means all people, not half.

UNFPA stands with all 8 billion people so that they may claim their rights and make their own choices. Because only that will lead to a future that will bring equality and prosperity to us all.

UNFPA Executive Director.

Did you know Africa and Asia are driving global population growth?

Asia contributed half of the 8 billion and Africa made the 2nd largest contribution with 400 million people. Check out these 6 trends and what they mean now that the world population is #8BillionStrong.