World Population Day 2024: The global population is expected to continue increasing steadily, with projections indicating it may reach around 9.7 billion by 2050 and possibly peak at nearly 10.4 billion in the mid-2080s, according to the UN. This represents the growth of almost 2 billion people within the next three decades. India's population was estimated to be 1.4286 billion, slightly surpassing China's population, making India the most populous country in the world, according to the UNFPA's 2023 State of the World Population Report. Experts attribute this growth to the "population momentum" from earlier decades and anticipate that India's population will decrease around 2050, and this trend will also apply to the global population, which currently stands slightly above 8 billion. To raise awareness about global population issues and their impact on society, the UN established World Population Day—a significant event that highlights the importance of addressing population-related concerns such as reproductive health, family planning, gender equality, and sustainable development. As we celebrate World Population Day 2024 today, here is all you need to know about the day. World Population Day 2024: Date and Theme World Population Day is celebrated annually on July 11. This year, the day is being observed on Thursday, July 11, 2024, with the theme "Leave No One Behind, Count Everyone," which emphasises the importance of inclusive data collection to ensure that everyone is fairly represented in population counts, regardless of background, nationality, geography, or socioeconomic standing. “We can’t achieve gender equality without assuring the rights, well-being, and full autonomy of half of the global population.” — @UNFPA Deputy Executive Director @DieneKeita at yesterday’s #HLPF event Join the conversation: #ICPD30 pic.twitter.com/FXjWNx8hzE — UNFPA (@UNFPA) July 10, 2024 World Population Day 2024: History and Significance The origins of World Population Day date back to July 11, 1987, when the world's population reached approximately five billion people. This milestone sparked global interest in population growth and its implications. In 1989, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) established World Population Day to address concerns related to population growth, including maternal health, poverty, economic hardships, and many other difficulties. This is a significant day that serves as a reminder to address the pressing issues surrounding global population growth, raise awareness, and foster discussion about finding solutions. World Population Day 2024: UN's António Guterres speech "As the theme of this year’s World Population Day reminds us, investing in data collection is important to understanding problems, tailoring solutions, and driving progress. So is finance. I urge countries to make the most of the Summit of the Future this year to unleash affordable capital for sustainable development.” —Secretary-General António Guterres
