Kathmandu: The World Population Day 2025 is being observed globally with various programs aimed at raising awareness about population-related issues.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the theme for this year’s World Population Day is “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.” This theme aligns with the commitments made during the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, as highlighted by the United Nations.
In his message, UN Secretary General Ant³nio Guterres addressed the challenges faced by young people today, including economic uncertainty, gender inequality, health issues, climate change, and conflict. Despite these challenges, young people are leading with determination and are demanding systems that respect their rights and support their choices. Guterres urged countries to invest in policies that guarantee education, healthcare, decent employment, and full protection of reproductive rights.
The UN Secretary General also emphasized the importance of recognizing the potential of the largest youth generation in history. He noted that young people are not only shaping the future but are also advocating for one that is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable.
“It took hundreds of thousands of years for the world population to grow to 1 billion, and in just over 200 years, it increased sevenfold,” Guterres stated. He indicated that the global population reached 7 billion in 2011, stands at nearly 7.9 billion in 2021, and is projected to grow to 8.5 billion by 2030, 9.7 billion by 2050, and 10.9 billion by 2100, according to the UN.
Young people are already instigating change but encounter significant barriers such as economic insecurity, gender inequality, limited access to healthcare and education, climate disruption, and conflict. A survey conducted by UNFPA and YouGov across 14 countries revealed that many desire to have more children but are hindered by social, economic, or health-related issues.
The UN has called on global leaders to prioritize the needs and voices of young people to address global population trends effectively. “They need more than services-they need hope, stability, and a future worth planning for,” the organization stated.