World Population Day (WPD), observed every July 11th, was established by the United Nations in 1990 to raise awareness about global population issues. According to the UN, the global population surpassed 8 billion on November 15, 2022.

At Population Connection, we work at the intersection of demography, health and human rights, and sustainable development. Through educational programs, advocacy work, and outreach efforts, we empower individuals and communities to make informed decisions that contribute to a more sustainable world.

World Population Day 2023 World Population Day 2022

Press Release: New UN population projections

New world population projections released today by the United Nations Population Division reveal that the widespread narrative about declining birth rates precipitating a global “population collapse” is very far from reality.

Read Our Statement Here

Op-ed: Debunking Common Population Myths

There are many myths and misconceptions about population trends and their significance to our future. Discover the facts in an op-ed by our Communications Manager, Olivia Nater, published on Earth.org.

Read Our Response to Common Myths Here

World Population Day: Why we should still be concerned about human population growth

July 11 is World Population Day, a United Nations observance day first marked in 1990 to raise awareness of the urgency and importance of population issues. Concern about the impacts…

Mark World Population Day with Us!

Virtual Zoom Event

Global Demographic Trends: Insights from the Latest UN Projections

Thank you for joining us for a virtual event with our VP for Communications, Marian Starkey, and Communications Manager, Olivia Nater! Attendees listened in as Marian and Olivia discussed data from the 2024 UN World Population Prospects report (embargoed until July 11th at 12:30pm ET), pulling out key takeaways and exploring fertility trends and population projections. It was a great opportunity to stay informed and engaged with the latest demographic changes and the coinciding far-reaching implications for the future!

Date: July 11th, 2024

Presentation Slides

Global Demographic Trends: Insights from the Latest UN Projections — Presented by Marian Starkey, VP for Communications, and Olivia Nater, Communications Manager

Q&A

Questions from the audience, with responses from Marian Starkey and Olivia Nater

Referenced Resources

Chat Box

Chat Box Discussion

Marian Starkey

Vice President for Communications

Olivia Nater

Communications Manager

Get Involved

Spread the Word!

Are you passionate about population stabilization? Do you wish your community members were too? Use your knowledge and enthusiasm to spread the word by writing to your local newspaper or sharing information on social media. Read on for expert tips on getting the most out of your outreach efforts!

Write a Letter!

Make Your Voice Heard!

When you join with other constituents in contacting your members of Congress, you become part of a powerful movement advocating for increased funding for international family planning. Signing petitions and making phone calls directly to your elected representatives are two ways you can join our network of activists.

Contact Congress!

Share your #MyPopNumber!

Only a century ago, the global population had not even reached 2 billion, less than a quarter of today’s 8.2 billion inhabitants. Help others make the connections between population dynamics and environmental sustainability by sharing a photo with your #MyPopNumber!

Share Your Photo!

“Our population size and trajectory has great bearing on human wellbeing, planetary health, and our ability to solve the problems we face today. By ramping up investment in the advancement of women’s and reproductive rights around the world, we can significantly slow population growth in the second half of this century and achieve a happier, more sustainable world.” John Seager, President & CEO of Population Connection

Our Programs

Educating the next generation on population dynamics!

Through our Population Education program (PopEd) for K-12 students and direct engagement with college and university professors, we’re educating the next generation of decision makers on how population trends impact human health, economic development, and the natural environment. Classroom materials cover many subjects, with lesson plans, slide decks, teacher workshops, and more available to educators.

“Thank you for the very well-presented and informative presentation. There were a few other instructors in attendance, and they all found me to let me know how much they enjoyed your presentation and how it was eye opening, even for them. I hope we are able to have you come up again next year!” Dr. Cari Lange, Professor of Anthropology and Forensic Science, Assistant Dept. Chair of Life Sciences, Ventura College

Population Education for K-12 Learning

Population Education (PopEd) provides K-12 teachers with innovative, hands-on lesson plans and professional development initiatives in order to teach about human population growth and its effects on the environment and human well-being. As the only national program for teachers that focuses on human population issues, PopEd fulfills an important need within U.S. classrooms.

Photo: PopEd team with their exhibit booth at the National Science Teaching Association Convention (NSTA). In addition, PopEd held three workshops at the Convention, two presented by staff and one given by two of their incredible trainers!

Explore Classroom Materials

Population Studies for Higher Education

By integrating population trends and dynamics in higher education, we can prepare tomorrow’s professionals to work towards cost-effective, rights-based solutions towards combating climate change and other pressing challenges—namely, voluntary family planning and girls’ education. Invite Hannah Evans, Population Connection’s Senior Analyst, to present to your classroom or group!

Photo: University of Guam students with Senior Analyst Hannah Evans after a virtual presentation to their Human Ecology class.

Invite a Speaker

Informing the public about population issues.

Using a variety of outlets, we strive to educate and engage the public in addressing critical population challenges through rights-based solutions. Our outreach includes a longstanding quarterly magazine, informative blog posts, and virtual events, featuring guest speakers and eager audiences. All three of these sources cover pressing topics such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and women’s empowerment. The virtual events are also often interactive, inviting members to offer input and share insight during Q&A sessions. By sharing these materials and opportunities with your networks, you can help raise awareness and encourage action towards achieving sustainable population levels.

Our only hope is to slow, and ultimately cease, the astronomical growth of the human population, to allow the earth to heal and support a smaller, stable population. I was thankful to find your organization as a conduit to contribute toward a better tomorrow, even though it is one that I will never see. Donna J. Warlick, Population Connection Member

Media Coverage

Media stories about population issues are often inaccurate, or even misleading. For example, repeating common myths and misconceptions. When encountering this type of article, our team usually writes letters to editors (LTEs) or opinion articles (op-eds) to weigh in on the conversation. Explore our responses to recent population headlines!

Do you want to respond to articles in your local paper? Check out our media guide for information and advice on how to do so!

Photo: Population Connection has responded with our perspective and expertise on the featured headlines.

Media Guide

Quarterly Magazine

Population Connection magazine is our longstanding quarterly publication for Population Connection members. We also send each issue to every member of Congress and to about 3,000 public and university libraries.

Photo: Cover pages of our March 2024 and June 2024 issues.

Read the Latest Issue

Virtual Events

Virtual events are an easy and accessible way for supporters 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. Guest speakers include demography experts, reproductive rights champions, and conservation scientists.

Photo: A discussion with supporters attending a Page Turners Book Club meeting.

Attend a Virtual Event

Supporting community-run programs that empower women and girls!

Empowering women and girls is one of the most effective sustainable development levers, yet women’s rights sadly remain severely underfunded. When people, in particular women and girls, gain access to health care and education, they also gain political, economic, and social power. This facilitates economic growth, improves health and livelihoods, and delivers higher levels of bodily autonomy.

We’re proud to support 19 organizations across Latin America, East Africa, and South Asia through our Global Partners program. Since 2016, we have served as a grant maker to small, highly-effective organizations working on the ground in their local communities to offer programs and services that contribute to stabilizing global population.

“As a male SRHR champion, I want to thank Stretchers Youth Organization for this training, where I learned that it is important to advocate for contraceptives. Contraceptives help reduce unwanted pregnancies, and give girls and women a chance to have the number of children of their own choice. I will ensure that I pass this information to my fellow men in the community.” Participant in Stretchers Youth Training

Increasing Girls' Education Opportunities

Having the opportunity to receive an education improves young girls’ economic prospects and reduces their risk of child marriage and early pregnancy. When combined with safe, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, educational opportunities can significantly reduce maternal and child mortality, unintended pregnancies, and unsafe abortions.

Photo: Global Partner, African Education Program, has established a Learning & Leadership Center that equips students with life-changing business and financial literacy knowledge.

Learn More Here

Improving International Family Planning Services

Access to comprehensive reproductive health care is recognized internationally as a human right and makes up an essential component of sustainable development initiatives worldwide. Expanding access to family planning services yields myriad social, economic, and environmental benefits and is vital for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, including for climate action.

Photo: Global Partner, Women for Conservation, runs community-based programs that provide access to reproductive health care services in rural Colombia.

More Details Here

Interviews with Global Partners

Girl-led advocacy campaign during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence through Girl Up's She Leads project.

Empowering girls to thrive and lead: Q&A with Girl Up Initiative Uganda

Through our Global Partners program, Population Connection supports a growing number of grassroots organizations around the world working to increase access to education, public health and family planning services. Their…

Providing schooling for disadvantaged girls: Q&A with Nasaruni Academy