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Rapid population growth threatens the quality of life for people everywhere. 

Global population rose to 8 billion in November of 2022.

As a supporter of Population Connection, you raise awareness and educate others on the pressing issues our world faces due to rapid population growth.

We are deeply grateful to you and appreciate your commitment to our mission!

There are 218 million women in the developing world who want to prevent pregnancy but have an unmet need for modern contraception.

Up to 1 million species are threatened with extinction in the coming decades.

One in 12 people already lives below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day.

Stabilizing population plays an important role in confronting the world’s climate crisis.

Latest Updates

2023 Year at a Glance

Visit our Year at a Glance page for more program highlights from 2023! Your support makes our work possible, thank you so much!

2023 Highlights

Check out our latest publications!

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What are the top countries for gender equality?

The world is still far from achieving gender equality, with some countries doing a lot better than others. On International Women’s Day, we take a look at which nations have…

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Mosaic of three-day-old IVF embryos. Image by AWelshLad on Canva

IVF support from “pro-lifers” reveals their insidious motivations

A recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling based on absurd abortion ban logic risks taking away people’s right to in vitro fertilization (IVF) services. In response to the ruling, many anti-choice…

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December Magazine Issue

Population projections and the assumptions demographers make in order to formulate them take center stage in this issue. Dr. Jane O’Sullivan, a researcher at the University of Queensland in Australia, gave an informative interview on the shortfalls of the most commonly cited projections and advocated on behalf of funding strong family planning programs in order to achieve the fertility decline top demographers assume will happen soon.

Cover image: Nepalese customers visit the market in Kathmandu on October 14, 2023, to select gifts for family members for the upcoming Dashain festival. (Photo by Sanjit Pariyar/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Read the December Issue

2023 Virtual Event archive

Virtual events are an easy and accessible way for you to learn more about population issues, connect with Population Connection staff, and meet others interested in working together for a more sustainable future for our planet.

Since 2020, we’ve engaged with our supporters by hosting a variety of virtual events to stay up-to-date on issues relating to our work. We’ve heard presentations from speakers working in the fields of conservation, reproductive rights, public health, demography, and more! Visit our event archive to view recordings, presentation slides, and speaker bios from some of our recent events.

Event Archive Available Here
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We’ve breached six of nine planetary boundaries

...and there's only one way to fix it A major scientific analysis has revealed that humanity has broken six out of nine planetary boundaries, including for climate change, biodiversity loss,…

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Re: Don’t Worry About Global Population Collapse

Bloomberg recently published a welcome voice of reason on the "baby bust" rhetoric. We responded with a letter to the editor which we are featuring here as Bloomberg did not…

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2023 at a glance

  • Our communications team works hard to introduce population-related topics to mainstream media sources. Our Communications Manager, Olivia Nater, recently had a letter to the editor featured in The New York Times. Additionally, Senior Analyst Hannah Evans was invited to speak on the Climate Optimists podcast for the second time, where she highlighted the positive outcomes of population decline.

  • Population Education has already hosted 48 workshops since the start of the year! Through these workshops, teachers and students are learning to think critically about population dynamics and its role in global issues. 

  • The World of 8 Billion student video contest has closed and videos are under review! The 2022-2023 contest received over 2,400 submissions from students across 45 countries, challenging them to use digital skills to propose solutions for global problems related to population. This year’s topics were: Climate Change, Gender Equality, and Waste. 

  • Thanks to our generous donors, we’ve expanded our support to more Global Partners, whose work helps stabilize global population. We’ve been showcasing their incredible work through our NEW Global Partners Series. In February we heard from  Kamal Rawal, Executive Director of Rural Women’s Development and Unity Center (RUWDUC) about the scope of RUWDUC’s work in collaboration with Population Connection. You can watch the recording here. 

  • Our Population Education team has been busy, leading 89 teacher workshops across several different states including; Mississippi, Iowa, Georgia, and Ohio! Learn more about our Population Education Program.

  • Along with training teachers on engaging ways to teach their students about population dynamics and environmental issues, our Population Education Team hosted an exhibit booth at National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). At the event, we engaged with over 400 teachers who visited the booth and chatted with staff. Our PopEd team reports they the #MyPopNumber activity was a big hit!

  • We’re co-hosting our annual advocacy event, Capitol Hill Days, in collaboration with our sister organization, Population Connection Action Fund. The three-day event features advocacy sessions, workshops training, and speaking events with experts in the field. Learn more about our policy priorities.

  • You may have seen media coverage about a new report that argues that population growth is in fact not a big problem, and that projects a global population peak of less than 9 billion. Many of the claims around this report are misleading. Read our statement. 

  • Our Population Education team presented 70 workshops and webinars for teachers including staff trips to Arizona, South Carolina, and southern Virginia. Training for educators helps achieve an important component of our mission– helping the next generation of decision-makers to think critically about population issues! Learn more about our Population Education Program here.

  • Each year, together with our sister organization, Population Connection Action Fund, we host our signature advocacy event, Capitol Hill Days. From April 5th to 7th, we were joined by passionate activists, eager to learn the latest on reproductive health and rights around the world. Sessions included discussions with health experts, training workshops, discussions, and even a trivia game! We encourage you to check out the session recordings and event recap here!

  • Leading up to Earth Day, we hosted Virtual Events including a discussion with our President, John Seager, and an engaging presentation from Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Founder and Executive Director of Conservation Through Public Health and Population Connection board member. It was inspiring to have over 200 supporters engage with us through these Earth Day Virtual Events!

  • Our Communications Team is always looking to incorporate a demographic lens when discussing global issues. In the last month our Vice President for Communications, Marian Starkey, had two letters to the editor published—one in the New York Times and one in the Idaho State Journal. Between interviewing three more Global Partners and writing thought-provoking blog posts, our Communications Manager, Olivia Nater, also had a letter to the editor published in the Boston Globe!

  • The judging of approximately 3,000 videos created for the World of 8 Billion International Video Contest is complete! Explore the winning submissions, along with winners’ bios and pics here!

  • At our latest Page Turners Book Club meeting, we were joined by Dr. Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka to discuss her new memoir, Walking with Gorillas: The Journey of an Africa Wildlife Vet. Nearly 40 supporters participated in the discussion, eager to hear first-hand insights from Dr. Gladys herself. A recording of the discussion is available here!

  • We kicked off our Summer Photo Contest! We encourage you to let your creativity soar and capture the moments that ignite your passion for protecting our planet. Every photograph has the potential to make a profound impact and inspire others to take action for positive change— and the winning photograph will be featured in our upcoming quarterly magazine! You can find more information on the contest here, including photo guidelines and criteria for submission.

  • An UN-commissioned survey on people’s perceptions of human population size revealed that the most commonly held belief is that our population is too large. The findings were reported in UNFPA’s State of World Population 2023 report, which explores how some attitudes toward population trends can be harmful. Read more of our key takeaways from the report in our latest blog post! 

  • For this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity, we celebrated with a presentation from our Global Partners at Lemur Love! The organization’s ongoing research presence aids in preserving Madagascar’s biodiversity and helps foster meaningful connections with the communities living in and around biodiverse hotspots. You can watch a recording of their presentation here. 

  • Even with school out for summer, our Population Education team is staying busy training teachers nationwide! Population Education held over 70 workshops in June alone, equipping educators with the skills and resources needed to incorporate population-related lessons in their classrooms. Learn more about our Population Education Teacher Workshops here!

  • In the latest issue of our Population Connection quarterly magazine, we journey into the Congo Basin, a unique biodiversity hotspot. The Congo Basin is also a critical tool in the fight against climate change, and is under increasing pressure from deforestation driven by subsistence farming, expanding settlements, and commercial activities. Read the full issue here.

  • We marked World Rainforest Day with our Colombia-based partner, Women for Conservation (W4C)! More than 75 Population Connection members and supporters tuned in for an engaging presentation where we learned more about the organization’s community-based programs. In addition, they shed light on how our partnership supports W4C’s programs that help to deliver accessible reproductive healthcare to rural communities residing in biodiversity hotspots. A recording of the presentation is available here!

  • June marked one year since the US Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to reproductive rights by overturning the constitutional right to abortion. In a recent blog post, our Field Coordinator, Grace Long summarizes the impacts of the Dobbs ruling across the country and how people are fighting back. Read the full post here.

  • Population Education has been busy training staff across the nation at their annual leadership institutes. Our team gathered with educators in New Orleans and Seattle and are thrilled to welcome over 40 NEW trainers to our incredible Population Education Trainers network. Trainers are a key pillar in our work by leading Population Education activities that encourage participants to make connections between our human population and related environmental and social issues. Learn more about our Population Education Trainers Network here!

  • Our second annual Summer Photo Contest wrapped up this month. We had over 100 submissions from supporters, capturing diverse experiences, landscapes, and moments. These amazing photos remind us of the power of visual storytelling and its ability to transcend boundaries and connect people. You can explore all 2023 Summer Photo Contest submissions here!

  • Leading up to World Population Day, our Communications Team wrote LTEs, press releases, and blog posts for submission for publication in mainstream media outlets. One particular op-ed was in response to Elon Musk’s latest comments on population growth. Be sure to check out all of our World Population Day resources here!

  • We marked World Population Day with an engaging virtual discussion from our Communications Team. During their presentation, they dispelled misleading claims surrounding falling fertility rates and outlined the many environmental benefits of slower population growth. They also discussed potential solutions to economic challenges posed by an aging population. You can watch a recording of their presentation here!

  • We’re excited to announce the topics for the 2023 -2024 World of 8 Billion student video contest! Each year this competition invites middle and high school students to create videos on the impacts of population. Thousands of students are now more aware of the vast connections between population and so many of today’s pressing global challenges. This year’s topics are climate migration, invasive species, and health. Learn more about the World of 8 Billion contest here

  • At our latest book club meeting, we delved into the pages of Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity. Our discussion was enriched by the passionate attendees who engaged us in a thoughtful dialogue concerning the critical topics of overconsumption and rapid population growth, both of which contribute significantly to environmental degradation. Learn more about our Book Club discussions here!

  • The portrayal of population dynamics in the media is often misleading. Our team is committed to providing a well-rounded perspective on these crucial issues, promptly addressing the misinterpretations and inaccuracies that frequently surface in news coverage. Explore our latest Letters to the Editor to here!

  • Over 50 supporters tuned in for a presentation with our Global Partner, the African Education Program (AEP), which works to unlock the potential of Zambia’s youth and adults by building and growing community-led initiatives. Through our Global Partners program, we support a roster of international organizations dedicated to enhancing accessibility to education, public health, and family planning services. Our partners play a crucial role in their local communities, marking the culmination of our collective efforts to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all. You can watch a recording of the presentation here!

  • At our latest Population Education Leadership Institute in St Louis, we trained 19 new educators! Through engaging, standards-aligned classroom activities, our trainers inspire students to tackle real-world problems and encourage them to get involved in their communities as the next generation of leaders and policymakers. Read more about our Population Education Trainers Network here!

  • This month we celebrated Safe Abortion Day World Contraception Day! Access to contraception and other family planning services is essential in women’s decision-making. Learn more through our latest blog posts and press releases.

  • Population Institute’s recent report analyzes the impacts of climate change in vulnerable countries worldwide. Experts from The Center for Biological Diversity and PATH Foundation Philippines joined us for a discussion to provide insight into successful policies and programs that effectively integrate gender equality, reproductive health and rights, and climate adaptation. Watch the recording here!

  • We were honored to be joined by our Global Partners, WINGS and Wuqu’ Kawoq, to mark World Contraception Day. Our Guatemalan-based partners work to deliver high-quality reproductive health education and services to rural communities in Guatemala. Watch the recording here!

  • Population Education had a busy October: staff led nearly 100 training workshops for educators across the US and part of Canada! During these workshops, we provide interactive, cross-curricular lesson plans that promote issue-based learning in various subjects, including science, social studies, mathematics, language arts, and environmental education. Learn more about Population Education teacher workshops here!

  • We updated one of our most popular resources, The Connections Between Population and Climate Change Info Brief! The link between human action and the planet’s recent warming remains an almost unanimous scientific consensus, but the connections between population growth and climate change deserve more attention. Be sure to read the full update here!

  • Our sister organization is gearing up activists to continue the fight for reproductive rights for the 257 million women around the world who want to prevent or delay pregnancy but have an unmet need for contraceptives. Learn more about the #Fight4HER campaign relaunch and how you can get involved with advocacy work!

  • We marked World Contraception Day with our Guatemala-based partners, WINGS and Maya Health Alliance! Our speakers gave an overview of strategies for overcoming barriers to providing high-quality reproductive health care. They shared testimonials from those whose lives were transformed by the services offered, further highlighting the real-world impact of supporting bodily autonomy. Watch the recording here!

1,200+ Activists

Population Connection Action Fund mobilized reproductive rights champions through training workshops, digital rallies, and online petitions

10,000+ Educators

Population Education hosted over 550 workshops for educators across 44 states and in six Canadian provinces

1,200+ Supporters

Membership Relations engaged with our supporter base through 20 virtual events, including four book club discussions and nine webinars featuring our Global Partners. 

2022 at a glance

10,000+

Educators provided with resources to teach their K-12 students about population trends and how they impact planetary health and sustainable development through our Population Education program

400+

Activists trained and mobilized by our sister organization, Population Connection Action Fund to continue fighting for reproductive rights

1,000+

Members and supporters engaged with our virtual events, tuning in for presentations with experts in the field, book club discussions, film screenings, and more

Visit our Year at a Glance page for more program highlights from 2022! We couldn’t do this important work without your support! 

2022 Highlights

2021 at a glance

3,000,000

Kids pointing at map

Young people inspired to think critically about our world’s population challenges via Population Education lesson plans

1,204

Capitol Building

Legislator connections by 389 advocates during our virtual Capitol Hill Days, a joint program with Population Connection Action Fund

1,300+

Earth Day Banner photo

Members and supporters who have RSVP’d or attended at least one virtual event

Check out our Year at a Glance page to learn more about all we accomplished in 2021. These achievements were made possible with your support!
2021 Highlights