World Population Day

World Population Day is observed annually on 11 July to raise awareness about population issues, support reproductive rights, and highlight the relationship between population and development. This day aims to increase awareness of the conditions necessary for individuals to have the number of children they desire and for young populations to plan for the future.

History

World Population Day was proclaimed on 11 July 1989 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This date marks the time when the world population reached five billion. Each year, this day is commemorated through information and awareness campaigns led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on the importance of population and its role in development.

Purpose and Significance

The purpose of World Population Day is to explain the relationship between population and development, support reproductive rights and the freedom to form a family, and ensure that policymakers make data-driven decisions on population issues. Global and national population changes directly affect health, education, social, and economic policies. Ensuring access to economic and social services so that individuals can have the number of children they desire is among the necessary conditions for young populations to plan for the future.

Global Population Trends

World population has grown slowly throughout history but accelerated significantly over the last two centuries. The global population reached seven billion in 2011, approximately 7.9 billion in 2021, 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and is projected to reach 10.9 billion by 2100. This growth is linked to an increasing number of people reaching reproductive age, urbanization, migration trends, and changes in fertility rates. The global fertility rate has declined from five children per woman in the 1950s to 2.3 today. It is expected to reach the 2.1 children per woman level needed for population stability by 2050.^【1】 

According to the UNFPA 2025 report, globally one in five people cannot have the number of children they desire due to economic and social barriers. These barriers include costs, lack of job security, housing and childcare expenses, difficulty finding a suitable partner, and concerns about the future. Young people especially face these challenges, encountering economic problems, gender inequality, limited access to health and education services, climate change, and conflicts that influence their reproductive decisions.^【2】 

Population (Anadolu Agency)

Population and Demography in Türkiye

As of 2024, Türkiye’s population was estimated at 85.7 million, ranking 18th globally. Türkiye’s population accounts for 1.0 percent of the world’s total. The total fertility rate stands at 1.48 children per woman. In Türkiye, the number of children families desire is approximately twice the number they actually have. The child population ratio (aged 0–17) is 25.5 percent, below the global average but higher than in European Union member states. The youth population ratio (aged 15–24) is 14.9 percent, slightly below the global average but higher than in EU countries. The elderly population ratio (aged 65 and over) is 10.6 percent, above the global average but lower than in most EU countries. Life expectancy at birth in Türkiye is 74.7 years for men and 80.0 years for women.^【3】 

Global and Regional Comparisons

According to 2024 data, the countries with the highest child population ratios are the Central African Republic, Niger, Somalia, and Mali; the lowest are the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Singapore. The highest youth population ratio is in Syria; the lowest is in Monaco. The highest elderly population ratio is in Monaco; the lowest is in Qatar. The highest total fertility rates are in Chad, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; the lowest are in the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Ukraine. Among EU countries, Bulgaria has the highest fertility rate and Malta the lowest.

Life expectancy at birth is highest for men in Monaco and lowest in Chad; for women, it is highest in Monaco and lowest in Nigeria. In Türkiye, life expectancy at birth for both men and women is above the global average but differs from that of most EU countries.^【4】 

Policy and Sustainable Solutions

World Population Day offers governments and policymakers an opportunity to understand the factors affecting individuals’—particularly young people’s—ability to have the number of children they desire and to develop long-term, sustainable solutions. Policies that protect reproductive rights, promote gender equality, and provide economic and social support enable individuals to make informed and free choices. In this context, strengthening housing support, safe and equitable working conditions, parental leave, comprehensive reproductive health services, and reliable access to information is essential. While each country adopts strategies aligned with its own demographic, social, and economic dynamics to support individuals in forming the families they desire, these efforts also contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.

Population and Economic Development

Population has historically been regarded as a vital resource for states. Societies have leveraged the advantages provided by population size across all eras, from agricultural production to industrial output, and from defensive warfare to open-field battles. High-quality and sufficient human capital enables countries to use their existing resources efficiently and effectively, playing a critical role in economic growth and development.

Economic development has long been one of the primary goals of efforts to meet unlimited human needs with limited resources. A country’s level of development is determined not only by per capita national income but also by the proportion of its skilled human resources. A surplus of educated labor enables countries to achieve significant gains in nearly every sector.

In this context, education, as the foundation of key development factors such as economy and health, has emerged as one of the most important infrastructure elements for all countries. In recent years, the proportion of trained and qualified labor within a country has become a key indicator in assessing national levels of development.