Empowering Youth to Build the Families They Want

Global fertility rates are falling, prompting warnings about “population collapse.” But the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)’s State of World Population report shows the real issue is a lack of reproductive agency—many people, especially youth, are unable to have the children they want.

World Population Day 2025 highlights this challenge, focusing on the largest-ever generation of young people. The theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” calls for ensuring youth have the rights, tools, and opportunities to shape their futures.

Young people are already driving change, but face major obstacles: economic insecurity, gender inequality, limited healthcare and education, climate disruption, and conflict. A UNFPA–YouGov survey of over 14,000 people in 14 countries found most wanted more children but were prevented by social, economic, or health barriers.

To respond to global population trends effectively, leaders must prioritize young people’s needs and voices. They need more than services—they need hope, stability, and a future worth planning for. As one youth activist told UNFPA, “Young people are not just thinking about their future children—they are thinking about the world those children will inherit.” Supporting their rights is key to sustainable development, peace, and human dignity.

Message from the Secretary-General:

On this World Population Day, we celebrate the potential and promise of the largest youth generation ever. 

They are not only shaping our future; they are demanding one that is just, inclusive, and sustainable. 

The theme — “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world” — reaffirms the promise of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development:  that every person has the right to make informed choices about their lives and futures. 

Many young people today face economic uncertainty, gender inequality, health challenges, the climate crisis and conflict. 

Still, they are leading — with courage, conscience and clarity.  And they are calling for systems that uphold their rights and support their choices. 

I urge countries to invest in policies that ensure education, healthcare, decent work, and the full protection of their reproductive rights. 

Let us stand with young people and build a future where every person can shape their destiny in a world that is fair, peaceful and full of hope. 

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World Population Day