UN Body Says World Population to Hit 7 Billion by October

By Henry Neondo

The world’s population is projected to reach 7 billion on 31 October 2011, according to the 2010 Revision of World Population Prospects, the official United Nations population projections prepared by the Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Globally, people are living longer, healthier lives and choosing to have smaller families.

“A world of 7 billion is both a challenge and an opportunity. But reducing inequities and finding ways to ensure the well-being of people alive today – as well as the generations that follow – will require new ways of thinking and unprecedented global cooperation,” said UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin.

He said the projections are vital to create opportunities for young people who constitute a majority in many of the least developed countries where much of the population increases are expected.

Dr. Osotimehin sad in particular, the population projections underscore the urgent need to provide safe and effective family planning to the 215 million women who lack it.

“When young people can exercise their right to health, education and decent working conditions, they can improve the capacities of their nations to escape poverty,” he said. Small variations in fertility – when multiplied across countries and over time – make a world of difference. We must invest the resources to enable women and men to have the means to exercise their human right to determine the number and spacing of their children.”

Dr. Osotimehin noted that the greater longevity projected for all regions, coupled with low fertility in many countries, means that many countries will be confronting the challenge of ageing populations. “We should plan in advance for the health care and social safety nets of the elderly at the same time we support the largest generation ever of youth,” he said.

With this in mind, said Dr. Osotimehin, UNFPA will kick off a series of activities related to the population milestone of 7 billion people on World Population Day, on 11 July. 

At that time, UNFPA and several partners, including National Geographic, will launch a social media campaign to engage individuals and groups on different issues related to a world of 7 billion. These will include urbanization, women’s empowerment and environmental sustainability.  

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity.