World Population Day (WPD) is observed on July 11th every year  to raise awareness about global population issues and their impact on social, economic, and environmental aspects. This year, WPD is closely linked with the launch of the State of the World Population (SWOP) Report, which highlights the surpassing of the 8-billion mark in global population as a demographic milestone and an opportunity for development, rather than an imminent threat to humanity.

According to the 2022 National Demographic and Health Survey, the average number of births per woman aged 15-49 years old is declining in the Philippines. The total fertility rate (TFR) has decreased from 2.9 in 2017 to 2.4 children in 2022, still above the replacement level of 2.1. By July 2023, the total number of Filipinos is projected to reach 112,892,781.

The 2023 SWOP Report further emphasizes the need for a new vision and approach as the country undergoes demographic transition. It highlights the importance of ensuring a population that prioritizes the rights and choices of all individuals, rather than focusing on population control.

Usec. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Executive Director of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), emphasizes the government's role in building on the current gains of population programs and agenda. She highlights the importance of investing heavily in the education and professional upskilling of young people.

In celebration of WPD, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Philippines, in partnership with the Commission on Population and Development (CPD) and the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD), will organize a high-level meeting on July 11th. This meeting will bring together key decision-makers and duty bearers from various sectors to discuss critical issues such as population growth, declining fertility, population anxiety, and misinformation. The aim is to identify necessary actions to ensure a future that is resilient and adaptive to demographic shifts and to accelerate progress towards the attainment of the 2030 Global Agenda on Sustainable Development and the Ambisyon Natin 2040.

By recognizing the diverse global community we live in, World Population Day highlights the importance of understanding and addressing population issues for a sustainable and inclusive future. (GATS - PIA MIMAROPA)