World Population Day

The world population in 1950 was 2.5 billion but it doubled within less than 40 years and it exceeded 5 billion on July 11, 1987. This increase of population is in need of sustainable development, urban development, and access to health services and further empowering of youths.

Given this approach in 1989, the UN proposed July 11 as "World Population Day" with the goal of preserving people's lives, reducing poverty, creating a balance between population growth and the creation of families as well as healthy and prosperous communities and a better and healthier world. We have prepared a special feature in this regard. Please stay tuned.

A short while ago, the UN has given a new prediction of the population growth rate by 2050, announcing that the planet is on the verge of a serious crisis. The report, titled "World Population Prospects," published in 2017, warned about the acceleration of world population growth and the challenges that this acceleration will create for achieving the goals of sustainable development slated for 2030.The report says that the world population has risen from 7.4 billion in 2016 to 7.6 billion in 2017 and with the persistence of this trend the population will reach 9.7 billion within coming 35 years. This figure is 100 million people more than the predictions made by the UN two years ago.

According to the report, 47 of the most undeveloped countries will be responsible for the increase in population; and averagely every woman gives birth to four children, bringing the total population of these countries to nearly 2 billion by 2050.  The UN has declared a few countries especially a number of African countries responsible for the growth of population till the middle of the current century. Thus nearly half of the population will belong to Africa. In the near future, the population of this region will reach 2.5 billion which is twice the current number. With this trend, Nigeria with 413 million people will rank third among the most growing populations. In Tanzania, only one-fifth of women use modern contraceptive methods. Each Tanzanian woman gives birth to an average of six children during her reproductive period and in this way the 40 million population of this country will rise to 80 million by 2050.

Based on the UN report, in the years 2015- 2050, half of the world population growth will be concentrated in 9 countries of India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Tanzania, America, Indonesia and Uganda. By 2022, the Indian population will surpass that of China. The UN considers the reason for the increase of population the improvement of life expectancy in the world. According to the report, life expectancy rose from 65 years in 1990 to 70 years in 2010, and in 2045, the age of life expectancy will be 77 years. Reducing child mortality is said to be another factor in the increase of population by the UN in developing countries.

In contrast to developing countries, there are countries that have suffered from a slow growth of population. For instance, because of a very limited birth rate, Japan’s population of 127 million will be reduced to 95 million by 2050.In this period, the population of Germany will reduce to 71 million (11 million less than the present figure). Due to the negative growth of population in recent years Europe’s population will decrease from 740 million to 732 million by 2050, and the only way to balance the region's population would be welcoming immigrants.

Given these differences, there are now various views about population in different parts of the world. In the underdeveloped countries, rapid population growth is a major cause of poverty and hunger.

Available data suggests that following uncontrolled population growth, the production and distribution of food is limited and 25,000 people die every day in the world due to malnutrition and diseases of food shortage, 18,000 of which are under five. Moreover, crowded homes and the sharing of limited space between a large number of people can lead to health problems, violence, congestion, unemployment, air pollution, social problems and tensions. This also increases the risk of spreading infectious diseases. The UN-based data and western investigations declare that the 1994 slaughter of Rwanda and the massacre of the Tutsi and Hutu tribes are only examples of calamities caused by environmental factors such as lack of land and unsustainable agricultural practices. But independent researchers suggest that the interventions and provocations of western powers, especially the US in the region have caused disasters not just for the Rwandans but for the entire poor countries which are intentionally kept poor and underdeveloped by big powers.

Since the young population is one of the most important indicators and asset for the progress of every nation, some countries consider the decrease of their young population as a serious harm. In 2010- 2015, productivity in 83 countries (46% of the world's population) has been below the level of replacement. Countries in this group are China, Brazil, Russia, Japan, Vietnam, Germany, Iran, Thailand and Britain. For this reason, many countries in this category have included their policy of supporting childbirth in their plans to prevent a negative growth of population.

In Sweden, immigrants who give birth to a child will be rewarded in addition to permanent residence permits. It should be noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran, has been pursuing population control policies for many years with less child which led to reduction in productivity rate in the recent years. This has urged the Leader of the Islamic Revolution to remind the officials and people of the result of such wrong policies and encouraging people to have more children. In 2050, Iran will be the 21st populated country in the world. This means a 6 grades fall.

Different ways of population growth in various countries have also led to different demographic policies. Experts believe that population growth can be both an opportunity and a threat. A skilled and lively population is an opportunity for any country, but the opposite can harm any system and country.

A healthy, educated and productive population can help break poverty cycle among generations and can be more flexible in confronting personal and social challenges. A skilled and aware population can render more services to the society and nation. Promoting access to education, health services, including reproductive health and family planning, is one of the factors that can enhance population resistance against all challenges and help use economic opportunities.

With this in mind, the UN has set this year's global slogan as "Family Planning, Empowering People, Developing Nations". Now attention is paid not only to the population of each country, but also to the quality of its population more than ever; for, only a able, aware and able person can pave the ground  for the growth and development of societies.

FK/RM/SS