The United Nations declared July 11 as World Population Day in 1989 to make people aware of the population-related issues across the world.

Every year, this day is marked to focus on the issues of an alarming rise in population.

The theme for this year is “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all – Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all." According to the United Nations' website, the global population reached the 7 billion mark in 2011, stood at almost 7.9 billion in 2021, and expected to grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.9 billion in 2100.

World Population Day was first marked on 11 July 1990 in more than 90 countries. A number of United Nations Population Fund country offices and other organizations and institutions commemorate World Population Day.

Here are some quotes, collected from Conserve Energy Future, to raise awareness on this day.

1. "Overpopulation is a root problem of all the environmental issues. If you can control the population, you can control almost anything." – Rinkesh Kukreja, Founder of Conserve Energy Future

2. "The biggest obstacle was mixing abortion with overpopulation. These are two things that have nothing to do with each other." – Jacques Yves Cousteau

3. "The wealthy nations and wealthy consumers have, of course, the greatest impact, but sheer numbers do count. There are ways that we can stabilize the human population without unpleasantly imposed restrictions, namely with universal women’s rights, education and available contraception." – Rex Weyler, Greenpeace Co-Founder

4. "Excessive (population) growth may reduce output per worker, repress levels of living for the masses and engender strife." – Confucius, philosopher

5. "If we don’t halt population growth with justice and compassion, it will be done for us by nature, brutally and without pity- and will leave a ravaged world." – Henry W. Kendall

6. "The key problem facing humanity in the coming century is how to bring a better quality of life — for 8 billion or more people — without wrecking the environment entirely in the attempt." – Edward O. Wilson

7. "The hungry world cannot be fed until and unless the growth of its resources and the growth of its population come into balance. Each man and woman and each nation must make decisions of conscience and policy in the face of this great problem." – Lyndon B. Johnson

8. "Anyone who believes in indefinite growth of anything physical on a physically finite planet is either a madman or an economist." – Kenneth Boulding, economist

9. "We must stabilize the population. This will be possible only if all nations recognize that it requires improved social and economic conditions, and the adoption of effective, voluntary family planning." – Lester Milbrath

10. "Once it was necessary that the people should multiply and be fruitful if the race was to survive. But now to preserve the race it is necessary that people hold back the power of propagation." – Helen Keller

China's working-age population will fall by 48%, from 1.4 billion people today to 730 million in 80 years
China's working-age population will fall by 48%, from 1.4 billion people today to 730 million in 80 years POOL / ROLEX DELA PENA
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