Dr Matiur Rahman

World Population Day, observed on July 11, aims to raise awareness about global population issues and their impact on society. Established by the United Nations, this significant event highlights the importance of addressing population-related concerns such as reproductive health, family planning, gender equality, and sustainable development.

By recognizing the challenges and opportunities presented by population dynamics, World Population Day provides a platform for governments, organizations, and individuals like you to engage in discussions and take action. Through this observance, the United Nations promotes understanding, collaboration, and innovative solutions to ensure a sustainable future for all countries.

Over the years, World Population Day has played a crucial role in raising awareness, advocating for reproductive rights, and encouraging policies and programs supporting sustainable development and all individuals' well-being.

The UN established World Population Day, which was first observed in 1989. The idea was inspired by the world population reaching five billion on July 11, 1987, prompting Dr. KC Zachariah, a senior demographer at the World Bank, to suggest marking the occasion as World Population Day.

The significance of World Population Day lies in its ability to foster discussions and raise awareness about the profound impact of population dynamics on socio-economic development, environmental sustainability, and individual well-being. It serves as a stark reminder that our growing population presents both challenges and opportunities that demand our attention and proactive measures.

The theme for World Population Day 2024 is "Leave no one behind, count everyone." This theme underscores the importance of investing in data collection to understand issues, tailor solutions, and drive progress. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commented, "This year's theme highlights the importance of investing in data collection to understand issues, tailor solutions, and drive progress. Financial investment is also crucial. I urge countries to leverage the Summit of the Future this year to unlock affordable capital for sustainable development."

Over the past three decades, societies worldwide have made remarkable progress in improving population data gathering, analysis, and use. New population figures, disaggregated by age, ethnicity, gender, and other factors, more accurately reflect our societies' diversity.
More than 40 percent of women around the world cannot make decisions on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

As few as one in four women across low- and middle-income countries are realizing their desired fertility. A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth (and in conflict settings, the number of deaths is twice as high). Nearly one-third of women have experienced intimate partner violence, non-partner sexual violence, or both. Just six countries have 50 percent or more women in parliament. Over two-thirds of the 800 million people globally who cannot read are women.

These advancements have significantly enhanced healthcare delivery globally, leading to substantial improvements in sexual and reproductive health and the ability to exercise rights and choices. Increasingly, new technologies enable more detailed and timely measurement of people's experiences than ever before. However, the most marginalized communities remain underrepresented in data, profoundly affecting their lives and well-being.

World Population Day 2024 is a moment to ask who is still going uncounted and why – and what this costs individuals, societies, and our global efforts to leave no one behind. It is also a moment for all of us to commit to doing more to ensure that our data systems capture the full range of human diversity so that everyone is seen, can exercise their human rights, and can reach their full potential.

To realize the rights and choices of those on the margins of our societies, we must count them – because everyone counts. Our rich human tapestry is only as strong as its weakest thread. When data and other systems work for those on the margins, they work for everyone. This is how we accelerate progress for all.

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 7 billion mark; it stood 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.

This dramatic growth has been primarily driven by increasing numbers of people surviving to reproductive age. It has been accompanied by significant changes in fertility rates, increasing urbanization, and accelerating migration. These trends will have far-reaching implications for generations to come.

The recent past has seen enormous changes in fertility rates and life expectancy. In the early 1970s, women had, on average, 4.5 children each; by 2015, total fertility for the world had fallen to below 2.5 children per woman. Meanwhile, average global lifespans rose from 64.6 years in the early 1990s to 72.6 years in 2019.

In addition, the world is seeing high levels of urbanization and accelerating migration. 2007 was the first year in which more people lived in urban areas than in rural areas, and by 2050 about 66 percent of the world's population will be living in cities.

These megatrends have far-reaching implications. They affect economic development, employment, income distribution, poverty, and social protection. They also affect efforts to ensure universal access to health care, education, housing, sanitation, water, food, and energy. To more sustainably address individuals' needs, policymakers must understand how many people are living on the planet, where they are, how old they are, and how many people will come after them.

Bangladesh, with its dense population and limited land area, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. As of 2024, the population is approximately 170 million, making it a significant player in the global demographic landscape. This burgeoning population presents opportunities and challenges for the country's socio-economic development.

Bangladesh has experienced rapid population growth over the past few decades. The current growth rate is approximately 1.1% per year. The country has a relatively young population, with a median age of around 27 years. This youthful demographic structure is both an asset and a liability. On the one hand, it provides a large workforce; on the other, it demands substantial investments in education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

With a land area of about 147,570 square kilometers, Bangladesh's population density is among the highest in the world, standing at around 1,150 people per square kilometer. This high density poses significant challenges in infrastructure development, resource management, and environmental sustainability. Urbanization is accelerating, with more than 38% of the population living in urban areas. Cities like Dhaka and Chittagong are expanding rapidly, leading to the growth of megacities and urban agglomerations.

Over the years, Bangladesh has seen significant changes in fertility and mortality rates. The total fertility rate (TFR) has declined from about 6.3 children per woman in the early 1970s to approximately 2.1 children per woman in recent years. This decline is attributed to effective family planning programs and increased reproductive health awareness. Meanwhile, life expectancy increased from around 47 years in the 1970s to about 73 years. Improved healthcare services, better nutrition, and public health interventions have contributed to this rise in life expectancy.

The Government of Bangladesh has implemented several policies and programs to manage population growth and improve demographic indicators. The National Population Policy emphasizes family planning, maternal and child health, and women's empowerment. Programs aimed at reducing fertility rates, improving reproductive health services, and promoting gender equality have been instrumental in shaping the country's demographic trends.

Bangladesh is currently in a phase where it can reap the benefits of the demographic dividend. With a large proportion of the population in the working-age group (15-64 years), there is a potential for accelerated economic growth. However, realizing this potential requires strategic investments in education, skill development, healthcare, and job creation. Harnessing the demographic dividend can increase productivity, higher savings, and improved living standards.

Education and Skill Development: Ensuring quality education and skill development for the young population is crucial. Investments in vocational training and higher education can enhance employability and economic productivity.

Healthcare Services: Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and services is essential to maintain and improve the population's health. Access to affordable and quality healthcare can lead to better health outcomes and increased productivity.

Employment Opportunities: Creating sufficient employment opportunities for the growing workforce is a significant challenge. Encouraging entrepreneurship, promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and attracting foreign investments can help generate jobs.

Gender Equality: Promoting gender equality and empowering women are critical for sustainable development. Ensuring equal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for women can contribute significantly to the country's progress.
Urban Planning and Infrastructure: Rapid urbanization requires effective urban planning and infrastructure development. Sustainable urban development can mitigate the challenges of overpopulation and ensure better living conditions for urban dwellers.

Bangladesh's population is expected to continue growing, albeit at a slower rate, reaching around 200 million by 2050. This growth will necessitate continued efforts to manage demographic challenges and leverage opportunities. Policies that promote sustainable development, inclusive growth, and social equity will be key to addressing the needs of the growing population.

Bangladesh's population dynamics present both significant challenges and immense opportunities. By adopting forward-thinking policies and strategic investments in human capital, the country can harness the potential of its demographic structure to achieve sustainable development. The path forward requires a concerted effort from the government, private sector, and civil society to build a prosperous and inclusive future for all.

The writer is a researcher and development worker.