The State of World Population is an annual report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Each edition covers and analyses developments and trends in world population and demographics, as well as sheds light on specific regions, countries and population groups and the unique challenges they face.
The State of World Population report is UNFPA’s annual flagship publication. Since 1978, the SoWP report has been published every year.
Get a comprehensive list of Reports Published by International Organizations at the linked article.
- The population of India is estimated to touch 142.86 crores by the middle of 2023, which is marginally ahead of China’s at 142.57 crores.
- As per UNFPA’s State of World Population Report 2023, the working population of India which includes the 15-64 age group comprises 68% of the total population.
- The population composition is as follows:
- 25 percent of the population is between 0-14 years
- 18 percent of the population is between 10 and 19 years
- 26 percent of the population is between 10 and 24 years
- 7 percent of the population above 65 years
- The World Population Prospects 2022 report of the UN released last year indicated that India’s population would reach 166.8 crores by 2050 while China’s population will decline to 131.7 crores.
- In 1950, the population of India was 86.1 crores, while the population of China was 114.4 crores.
- The UN projections indicate that the population of India will grow for the next three decades and then it will start to decline.
- While the global population touched 8 billion in November 2022, the UNFPA report said that the world population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950 falling under 1% in 2020.
Read more about this development here.
On April 14, 2021, UNFPA released the State of World Population Report 2021, titled, ‘My Body is My Own.’ This is the first time a United Nations report has focused on bodily autonomy, defined as the power and agency to make choices about your body without fear of violence or having someone else decide for you.
This is an important topic from the IAS Exam perspective and discussed below is a brief background study of the SoWP report, along with its objectives and the most recent findings.
State of World Population Report (SoWP) [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here
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About State of World Population Report
For the first time, a United Nations report focuses on bodily autonomy – the power and agency to make choices about your body without fear of violence or having someone else decide for you.
A serious lack of bodily autonomy has had far-reaching implications much beyond the profound harm to individual women and girls that include potentially depressing economic productivity, undercutting skills, and extra costs to healthcare and judicial systems.
The report measures both women’s power to make their own decisions about their bodies and the extent to which countries’ laws support or interfere with a woman’s right to make these decisions.
The SoWP report 2021 is the first where bodily autonomy has been discussed in detail with key findings based on a survey conducted in many countries.
Also, get the key highlights of the latest edition of the Global Gender Gap Report released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) at the linked article.
SoWP Report 2021 – Key Findings
- Despite constitutional guarantees of gender equality in many countries, worldwide, on average, women enjoy just 75 per cent of the legal rights of men
- Information so far from 57 countries shows that only about half of adolescent girls and women can make their own decisions that underpin bodily autonomy and integrity as measured by these two indicators
- Only 55 percent of girls and women are able to make their own decisions in all three dimensions of bodily autonomy, which include, healthcare, contraception, and the ability to say yes or no to sexual intercourse
- Only 71 per cent of countries guarantee access to overall maternity care
- Only about 80 per cent of countries have laws supporting sexual health and well-being
- Only about 56 per cent of countries have laws and policies supporting comprehensive sexuality education
- Women and girls in many instances lack the power to contest these disparities because of still low levels of participation in political and other forms of decision-making
Also, read Bridging Gender Gap: RSTV – The Big Picture
Bodily Autonomy
The principle of bodily integrity sums up the right of each human being, including children, to autonomy and self-determination over their own body. It considers an unconsented physical intrusion as a human rights violation.
Cases with violation of bodily autonomy especially among women and girls have been a cause of concern for people across the globe. Some important examples of violation of bodily autonomy discussed in the State of World Population Report 2021 include:
- Persons with disabilities at greater risk of rape and coerced sex
- Forced and Child Marriage
- Female genital mutilation
- Honour Killings
- Poverty leading to unwanted sex exchanged for a home and food
- Lack of contraceptive choices
- Marital rape and “marry-your-rapist” laws
UPSC aspirants can read in detail about the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a standalone entity of the Government of India with the mission of promoting and protecting human rights at the linked article.
The Indian Scenario
- According to National Family Health Survey (2015-16):
- 12% of currently married women take decisions about their healthcare all by themselves
- Healthcare decision for 23% are taken by their spouses entirely
- While 63% take healthcare decisions in concern with their spouses
- In most Indian states and Union Territories, the cases of domestic violence have also reduced. However, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Karnataka witnessed an increase in the number of cases
- In terms of contraceptives:
- Only 8% of currently married women (15-49 years) independently take the decision
- 83% decide jointly with their spouse
Visit the linked article and know more about the National Commission for Women (NCW), established to review the constitutional and legal safeguards for women.
SoWP 2021 – Other Important Points
- Bodily autonomy and integrity influence many aspects of health as well as a decent, dignified life. The fifth Sustainable Development Goal on gender equality and other Sustainable Development Goals too, including those related to promoting health, reducing inequalities and ending poverty must be a key focus for improvement
- The report reveals how serious many of the shortfalls in bodily autonomy are; many have worsened under the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Girls and young women with disabilities are more likely to experience violence than either their male peers with disabilities or girls and young women without disabilities
State of World Population Report (SoWP) [UPSC Notes]:-Download PDF Here
Candidates preparing for the upcoming Civil Services Exam can get the updated syllabus and exam pattern for the prelims and mains examination at the UPSC Syllabus page.
Also, get the latest exam updates, study material and preparation tips at BYJU’S.
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