Press briefing and Fireside Chat
15 November
The global population is projected to reach 8 billion on 15 November 2022, according to the World Population Prospects Report 2022, released on 11 July 2022. Despite a gradual slowing in the pace of growth, the population is also projected to surpass 9 billion around 2037 and 10 billion around 2058,
The growth of the world’s population has become increasingly concentrated among the world’s poorest countries, exacerbating already entrenched inequalities. Between now and 2050, almost all of the global increase in numbers of children and youth and of adults under age 65 will occur in low-income and lower-middle-income countries.
The Sustainable Development Goals provide the blueprint for tackling inequalities by meeting the socio-economic needs and human rights of a growing population while protecting the environment. This would require investments in healthcare (with a strong focus on sexual and reproductive health), education, gender equality and economic development.
Countries with the highest consumption and emissions rates are those where population growth is slow or even negative. Meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement for limiting the rise in global temperature while achieving the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development will require a rapid decoupling of economic activity from the current over-reliance on fossil-fuel energy, as well as greater resource efficiency.
Events to mark the Day of 8 billion
Press briefing at UN Headquarters, New York
WHO
Maria-Francesca Spatolisano, Assistant Secretary-General for Policy
Coordination and Inter-Agency Affairs, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Ib Petersen, Deputy Executive Director for Management, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
John Wilmoth, Director, Population Division, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
WHEN Tuesday, 15 November 2022, 12:30 pm EST
WHERE UN Press Briefing Room, S-237 (Live on http://webtv.un.org)
Fireside chat at the SDG Pavilion at COP27
WHAT Building a Sustainable World for 8 Billion People: A UN DESA Global Policy Dialogue Fireside Chat
WHO
Koko Warner, Manager, Vulnerability Subdivision, Adaptation Division, UNFCCC (in person)
John Wilmoth, Director, Population Division, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (virtual)
Monica Ferro, Director, UNFPA Office, Geneva
WHEN Tuesday, 15 November 2022, 08:45–09.15 am EST / 15:45-16:15 Egypt time
WHERE SDG Pavilion, Blue Zone, COP27, Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
(Live on www.facebook.com/joinundesa)
For more information, please visit: https://www.un.org/en/dayof8billion
Hashtags: #8BillionStrong #UNPopulation, #GlobalGoals
Media contacts:
Sharon Birch, UN Department of Global Communications, birchs@un.org
Bela Hovy, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, hovy@un.org