World Population Day 2024 - 11th July

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in 1989, established July 11, to be celebrated as World Population Day. The main objective of marking a day for population growth was to enhance awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development.

The theme for World Population Day 2024 was “Leave no one behind, count everyone.”

Important days and dates constitute an important part of government and the IAS Exam. In this article, we shall discuss at length the background, history and significance of World Population Day and its aspects. Also, discussed in UP’s Population Control Strategy. 

For a comprehensive List of Important Days and Dates, candidates can visit the linked article. 

History & Background of World Population Day 

• Why 11th July? – On July 11, 1987, “Five Billion Day” was observed marking the world’s population reaching 5 billion. UNDP was inspired by the awareness and interest of the public in signifying this day and decided to establish World Population Day on July 11 every year.
• It was in 1990 that World Population Day was first marked on 11th July across more than 90 countries.
• The trend of population increase across the world has been alarming. The world population had reached 7 billion in October 2011, and if growth continues, it is expected to grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.

COVID-19 and Population

The Covid pandemic has severely affected healthcare systems, particularly in the area of sexual and reproductive health. It also exposed and exacerbated gender-based inequities: gender-based violence. Against this backdrop, many countries are expressing growing concern over changing fertility rates. Against this backdrop, many countries are expressing growing concern over changing fertility rates.

• This World Health Organization survey shows how family planning services was one of the most extensively disrupted health services globally. There are fears that the crisis could be exploited as an excuse for restricting or failing to support women’s and girls’ decision-making, agency, freedom of movement or access to health services. 
• A medical review found increases in maternal deaths and stillbirths since the pandemic began, with great disparity between high and low-resource countries.

Uttar Pradesh’s New Population Policy 2021-2030

Objective of the Population Policy – The biggest reason for drafting a population control policy was to control and stabilise the population for the promotion of sustainable development of the state as there are only limited ecological and economical resources available. 

The Uttar Pradesh State Law Commission has prepared a proposed draft Bill for population control, under which a two-child norm will be implemented and promoted.

• The draft of the Uttar Pradesh Population (Control, Stabilisation and Welfare) Bill, 2021 is yet to be passed and the provisions will come into force one year after the date of publication of the gazette
• The main aim of the policy is to reduce maternal and infant deaths in a time-bound manner
• Once the policy comes into force, anybody who opts for more than two children may be deprived of several benefits, including, government-sponsored schemes, barred from promotion in government services, the person will also be barred from contesting elections to local authority
• Other key objectives of the New Population Policy are:
  • Decrease the total fertility rate – It means a decrease in the rate of the number of children per woman from 2.7 to 2.1 by 2026 and further to 1.7 by 2030
  • Increase modern contraceptive prevalence rate from 31.7% to 45% by 2026 and further to 52% by 2030
  • Increase male methods of contraceptive use from 10.8% to 15.1% by 2026
  • Decrease the maternal mortality rate from 197 to 150 by 2026, and 98 by 2030
  • Decrease infant mortality rate from 43 to 32 by 2026, and 22 by 2030
  • Decrease under 5 mortality rate from 47 to 35 by 2016, and 25 by 2030
  • Increase Life Expectancy from 64.3 to 69 by 2030
  • Increase child sex ratio from 899 to 919 by 2030
• Benefits under the UP Population Policy:
  • Incentives for public servants if they adopt the norm by undergoing voluntary sterilisation
  • Benefits like free health care and insurance coverage to the child till the age of 20 years will be provided to public servants and citizens who opt for one child
  • A couple living below the poverty line and has only one child and undergoes voluntary sterilisation shall be eligible for a one-time Rs.80,000 payment if the child is male and Rs.1 lakh if it is female

(UP Population Policy Information Source: The Hindu)

UPSC aspirants can also read about the Factors affecting the Distribution of Population in India, can visit the linked article. 

Furthermore, for the latest exam updates, study material and preparation tips, turn to BYJU’S for assistance.