Changes in the demographic structure and proportions of a country’s population have significant impacts on its political, economic, and social sectors. Rapid population growth can create difficulties and pressures in meeting basic human needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. It also leads to environmental degradation issues that must be addressed.
Only when relevant countries control their population growth properly will they overcome challenges based on socioeconomic problems as well as the negative impacts of extreme population growth. In the current world, some countries are experiencing a demographic dividend, while others face problems caused by very low population growth. In such countries, the population is ageing, leading to labour shortages and increasing the need to allocate more financial resources and other support for social protection systems.
The United Nations stated that it took hundreds of thousands of years for the world population to grow to 1 billion – then in just another 200 years or so, it grew sevenfold. In 2011, the global population reached the seven billion mark; it stands at almost 7.9 billion in 2021, and it’s expected to grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.
Currently, what matters more than a large population is the quality of that population. Only when there are capable and skilled human resources can the world be made more peaceful and prosperous. Quality is far more important than quantity. If the population becomes excessively large and is filled with people who destroy rather than develop the world, humanity will face many dangers. Everyone living on Earth should coexist with love and respect for one another. Those who create wars and destroy human lives, homes, and property are the common enemies of all people who wish to live in peace.
Therefore, in order to address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and the lack of peace and justice, the United Nations has established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and member states have agreed to achieve them by 2030. Based on these Sustainable Development Goals, each country is required to address and resolve the problems and challenges it faces in a timely manner.
Myanmar set a motto for World Population Day: “Building Myanmar’s Development Future Through Population Data”. Meanwhile, the theme for World Population Day 2026 is “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people — today and for the future”. This year’s global initiative emphasizes empowering youth, ensuring reproductive choices, and promoting sustainable development for upcoming generations.
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