World Population Day is celebrated every year on July 11 all over the world.
This year's theme (2025)- Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world
Objectives:
To increase public awareness about the rate of population growth.
To spread awareness about family planning, health services, and contraceptive measures.
To highlight issues such as gender equality, youth empowerment, education, reproductive health and maternal and infant mortality.
To explain the ill effects of population growth such as poverty, unemployment and environmental pressure.
To inspire governments to consider population policy.
Establishment and historical background
In the year 1987, on July 11, the population of the Earth crossed the figure of 5 billion.
In memory of this important event, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) decided to celebrate this day as "World Population Day" in the year 1989.
It is being celebrated globally every year since 1990.
Population status in 2025
The world population has crossed about 8.1 billion (810 crores) in the year 2025.
India has become the most populous country in the world by overtaking China in the year 2023.
At present, the pace of population growth in India has slowed down, but the population base is very large, due to which challenges remain.
Major challenges
Pressure on health services – Population growth increases the burden on the health system.
Quality and access to education – Due to lack of resources, it becomes difficult to reach quality education to all.
Lack of employment –Lack of jobs in proportion to population growth leads to unemployment.
Environmental degradation – Climate change, pollution, reduction in forest areas, and threat to biodiversity.
Problems of urbanization – expansion of slums, traffic, pollution and social inequalities.
Initiatives and Programmes in India
Schemes like National Population Policy (2000), Mission Parivar Vikas and Population Stabilization Fund are being run by the Government of India.
Work is being done at the grassroots level through ASHA workers, population based surveys and reproductive health campaigns.
NGOs and health institutions organize rallies, dramas, poster competitions, radio shows, camps etc. on this day.
Q. World Population Day is celebrated every year on which date?