UN warns against “population alarmism” as global population nears 8 billion

The world must try to avoid any engagement in “population alarmism” as the global population nears 8 billion, a senior UN official has cautioned. It has been projected that the global population will reach the 8 billion milestone on 15 November. Furthermore, few experts have also expressed concerns about the impact of the growing number on already struggling world with extreme inequality, the climate crisis, and displacement and migration led by conflicts.

Dr. Natalia Kanem, executive director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), has urged countries to not panic and instead focus on measures to extend help to the women, children and marginalised people who are said to be the most vulnerable to any demographic change. “I realise this moment might not be celebrated by all. Some express concerns that our world is overpopulated, with far too many people and insufficient resources to sustain their lives. I am here to say clearly that the sheer number of human lives is not a cause for fear,” she said.  

Kanem further noted that if governments attempted to just focus on the numbers and tried to impose stern measures to curb the same, history might repeat itself and they again deem ineffective and might have dangerous repercussions. “From forced sterilisation campaigns to restrictions on family planning and contraception, we are still reckoning with the lasting impact of policies intended to reverse, or in some cases to accelerate, population growth,” she said. “And we cannot repeat the egregious violations of human rights … that rob women of their ability to decide whether [or] when to become pregnant, if at all. Population alarmism: it distracts us from what we should be focused on.”

The United Nations estimates that 8 countries alone, including Nigeria, Ethiopia and Philippines, are forecasted to account for at least half of global population growth by 2050.

The picture can be mixed at places, specially where immigrant population comes into account, which have a higher birthrate. “These are not causes for fear. In fact, in terms of the ageing crisis, we’re going to have to look for solutions that include migration of people who are willing to help with elder care etc,” Kanem said. “While there may be some variability … this should not stoke xenophobia and hatred of ‘the other’, which sometimes this type of dynamic is manipulated in order to do.”