Help youths create their ideal families

In 1987, the global population surpassed 5 billion, a milestone that prompted the United Nations to designate July 11 as World Population Day. The day was first observed on July 11, 1990, at a time of rapid population growth, drawing attention to the importance of population issues such as reproductive health, gender equality, poverty, and human rights.

Today, as we mark the 36th World Population Day, the global community is experiencing profound demographic shifts. While the world's population continues to grow, crossing the 8 billion mark in 2022, fertility rates are dropping to historic lows. One in four people now live in a country where the population has already peaked, raising concerns over aging populations, economic productivity, and the sustainability of social systems.

Last month, the United Nations Population Fund released the 2025 State of the World Population Report, titled the "Real Fertility Crisis". The report emphasizes that rather than be alarmed over depopulation, we should be focusing on the urgent challenge of the growing number of young people who are not able to achieve their desired fertility or have the families they want.