The United Nations observes that, it took thousands of years for our population to hit 1 billion. By the aughts, this number had grown sevenfold. The global population has only seen an upward tick, and this is owing to increased life expectancy, higher fertility rates, and international migration.
Every year, World Population Day is celebrated on July 11, and according to the UN, in November 2022, the global population will hit 8 billion, with India and China being two of the most populated countries in the world. Some other countries that take the top spot for being the most populated are the United States of America, Indonesia, and Pakistan, according to the UN.
With India and China being home to one-third of the world’s population, it Is imperative to understand how to leverage this population boost for economic growth and turn it into an asset.
In April 2023, India surpassed China in terms of population growth. One of the first countries to introduce, in 1952 – a government programme of birth control to reduce the growing population India has some time to capitalise on population growth and leverage this boost for economic growth. An excessive population has various adverse effects on the socio-economic development of the nation. The NPP (National Population Policy) of 2000, aimed at administering family planning services and working on the reproductive and child health needs of India.
The NPP initiated in the year 2000 was instrumental in meeting the initial hiccups our country had in terms of healthcare infrastructure, efforts were integrated over reproductive health and child health to reach a stable population along with the goals of sustainable economic growth and social development.
The Pew Research Center states that people under the age of 25 account for 40% of the population in India. The concerted efforts in stabilising the population level have helped to an extent, but there are still immense efforts needed at the systemic level to beat key issues like urban youth unemployment. With 40% of our population under the age of 25, it is imperative to address the issues that face them on a macro level.
According to Reuters, with a spike in unemployment rates, economic growth will face a standstill. Along with family planning policies, concentrated efforts in supporting youth and reproductive care policies in line with civil rights, among others, are of utmost importance if we are to beat the adverse effects of a population boost in India.
Population control is a complex issue that needs concentrated efforts at the systemic level to leverage this boost for economic growth. While it is essential to address the challenges posed by rapid population growth, it is equally important to uphold human rights. By striking a balance between population management and human well-being, we can strive towards a future where every individual can thrive, and the planet can sustainably support the needs of present and future generations.
