IPNEWS: The number of people living on the Planet Earth is expected to hit eight billion in November 2022, said the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Out of this number of persons walking the earth, Liberia has at least 5,299,516 as of Sunday, July 17, 2022, based on Worldometer elaboration of the latest United Nations data.
The 8 billion figure was disclosed by the UNFPA Representative to Liberia, Ms. Bidisha Pillai, who spoke Friday, July 15, at the celebration of World Population Day, which is celebrated annually on the 11th of July.
The 2022 World Population Day was held under the theme: “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future – Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all.”
Speaking further, Ms. Pillai said World Population Day offers a moment to celebrate human progress. “Our world, despite its challenges, is one where higher shares of people are educated and live healthier lives than at any previous point in history. Societies that invest in their people, in their rights and choices, have proven time and again that this is the road to the prosperity and peace that everyone wants and deserves.”
She reminded her audience and others that by November when the world’s population tops 8 billion, this milestone will attract much attention and debate and likely scaremongering over “too many” people. The UNFPA Representative emphasized: “That would be a mistake.”
“Focusing only on population numbers and growth rates often leads to coercive and counterproductive measures and the erosion of human rights, for example, to women being pressured to have children or prevented from doing so. It can deepen already acute inequalities, such as through policies shutting down reproductive health care or denying adequate pensions for the elderly, further marginalizing the most disenfranchised.
“The population story is far richer and more nuanced than a single number can capture. There may be more people in the world today, but equally important is the unprecedented demographic diversity we see within the global population. A growing number of countries face population ageing, and roughly two-thirds of the world’s population now live in a country or area with below-replacement fertility or fewer than 2.1 births per woman. Others, including Liberia, have youthful and growing populations
“People are the solution, not the problem. At UNFPA, we advocate for measuring and anticipating demographic changes. Each country, not leaving out Liberia, should have the information it requires to meet the needs of diverse population groups and ensure that individuals can realize their full potential.”
Also speaking, British Ambassador to Liberia, Mr. Neil Bradley, said how countries manage demographic change will determine their prospects as the number of people in the world hits 8 billion in November.
“Put simply, rapidly rising populations risk resource stress, mass unemployment and civil unrest,” Amb. Bradley stressed.
According to him, Sub-Saharan Africa’s population, including Liberia, is growing at an “unprecedented rate due to improved health outcomes and persistently high fertility rates. It is estimated that the population of sub-Saharan Africa will double by 2050 to 2.5 billion.”
Also making remarks, Mr. Jim Wright, Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), said that when that 8 billionth baby is born, meaning the world’s population would have tripled since 1950.
“We should proudly celebrate as a global community the many accomplishments that have extended life spans and led to significant population growth across the world: advancements in healthcare that have reduced maternal mortality, and child mortality; the ready availability of vaccines and other critical health commodities that have helped us conquer deadly diseases; and technological innovations that have enabled millions to live more comfortable and productive lives.”
Wright also warned that as the world celebrates these achievements, its inhabitants should also be reminded of the need to focus on and find solutions to the many problems that are caused or exacerbated by increased population growth.
“More people need more resources to survive. Consumption of more resources means more stress on the environment, more deforestation and more biodiversity loss, with potential genitive consequences for the effort to combat climate change. Increased population growth means more people need access to health and education services, and more focus on protecting and caring for marginalized groups—including youth, women and girls.”
He disclosed that it is a part of USAID’s development programs in Liberia to addressing the above and other population-related issues.
Touching on some of the things that USAID has done in the past as it relates to the population, Wright said, “We have made significant investments in providing women and girls access to family planning services, promoting gender equality and quality maternal health care so that families can plan and better care for future generations.
The USAID Mission Director disclosed that over the next five years, through its news youth program, Youth Advance, they will work to provide thousands of Liberian youths with education and skills they need to become gainfully employed or start a small business to support themselves and contribute to Liberia’s development.
Representing Dr. (MD) Wilhelmina Jallah, Minister of Health, Deputy Minister of Health, Mr. A. Vaifee Tulay thanked the UNFPA Family for the long-standing partnership and unwavering support, over the years to the Government of Liberia.
Tulay stated that as the world population hits 8 billion, leaders have done all to reduce poverty and made achievements in healthcare, including reducing infant mortality.
“It is also a moment of reflection of all countries to take stock and drive actions to matter the direction.”
According to him, from experience the news of 8 billion persons now on earth will be met with alarmism: “fears that the world is either on the verge of a disastrous overpopulation or catastrophe population collapse.”
The Deputy Health Minister emphasized that as Liberia prepares to go to elections in 2023, there need to have “a real time updated data on the population of the country can’t be overemphasized.”
