United Nations (Enmaeya News) — On the occasion of World Population Day, observed this year on Friday, July 11, 2025, UN Secretary‑General António Guterres urged governments to invest in what he called the largest generation of youth in history, describing them as vital to building a more inclusive, just and sustainable world.
This year’s theme— “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world”—reemphasizes 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.
“Young people everywhere are demanding the rights, freedoms, and opportunities they need to build better lives,” Guterres said in a statement released Friday. “We must listen to them — and invest in them.”
Global Trends: Population Peaks and Fertility Falls
As of 2024, the world population reached 8.2 billion and is projected to rise to around 10.3 billion by the mid‑2080s, before gradually declining to approximately 10.2 billion by the end of the century.
According to UN projections, fertility rates worldwide have fallen sharply—from around 2.3 children per woman in 2022 down to similar levels today, roughly half of the 4.7 average in 1950.
The UNFPA’s 2025 State of World Population Report, titled “The Real Fertility Crisis”, underscores that the crisis lies not in low birth rates per se, but in the lack of reproductive autonomy and support for young people and women.
Regional Demographic Polarization
Global population shifts are sharply divided. Sub‑Saharan Africa remains the most rapidly growing region, with nations like Nigeria, DR Congo, and Ethiopia maintaining high fertility rates—often exceeding 5 births per woman. In contrast, East Asia and Europe face accelerated decline due to ultra-low fertility. South Korea—now at a record low of about 0.72 births per woman—has the lowest fertility globally; Japan, Italy, Russia, and China are similarly experiencing population shrinkage.
Meanwhile, India, Pakistan, and Tanzania continue to grow—with India now the world’s most populous country. In the United States, modest growth continues, but it is driven primarily by immigration as native fertility remains below replacement levels.
These diverging trends reinforce the need for targeted policies—focusing on youth investment and reproductive health in growth regions and elder care, immigration, and economic supports in countries facing decline.
Regional Focus: India at a Crossroads
India, having recently surpassed China in population, is entering a demographic transition marked by falling fertility—even dipping below 2 births per woman (about 1.9). Experts are calling for a shift from controlling births to nurturing youth through healthcare, education, and economic opportunity. Reports highlight Nashik district, where nearly 40% of residents are under age 24, identifying it as a potential “youth hub” that requires expanded investment in skills and employment.
Technology and Warnings
Tech leader Elon Musk has warned that “population collapse due to low birth rates is a much bigger risk to civilization than global warming,” urging families to have three children to offset non‑childbearing individuals. Critics argue his view overlooks demographic nuances, noting UN projections indicate a gradual peak and decline rather than abrupt collapse.
Policy and Health
Health and population experts have marked the day with calls for universal access to family planning, adolescent healthcare, and socioeconomic support. Nations including India and Thailand highlighted planned parenthood as vital to reducing maternal and child mortality, while global awareness campaigns are addressing rising rates of chronic illness among youth.
Established in 1989 by the United Nations Development Programme, World Population Day remains a key moment each July 11 to consider how demographic changes intersect with issues like development, gender equality, and climate resilience. “Numbers tell a story, but rights and dignity must guide our response,” Guterres concluded.
