World population to hit seven billion today
Ridma Dissanayake
A United Nations report released last week, revealed that the world
population is to officially hit seven billion today.
The report entitled 'People and Possibilities in a World of 07
Billion' launched last week shows that the challenges ahead are
formidable. It also contains snapshots from nine countries,where
ordinary people,national demographic experts and policy makers talk
about the challenges they face and how they confront them.
This report also talks about the issues and challenges confronting
Sri Lanka.
It shows that there are five million young people in Sri Lanka and
this is the largest population of young people in the country's history.
"Currently young people are interconnected like never before and they
are transforming societies,politics and culture. But they also face a
number of challenges in today's world. Many of these are related to
growing up and managing relationships, the UN report revealed.
"Not only in Sri Lanka but in the whole world people under the age of
25 already make 43 percent of the world's population,reaching as much as
60 percent in some countries.
However the issue of population is not a matter of space.
The issue of population is one of equity,opportunity and social
justice," the report added. "There is a dramatic increase in the number
and proportion of older persons in Sri Lanka which in turn has led to
various political, economic and social consequences and challenges.
Adequate responses from society are therefore needed when it comes to
health services,long-term care,living arrangements,income and social
security and protection against abuse to address the rights of the
elderly," the report revealed. The 'People and Possibilities in a World
of 07 Billion' report also discussed security,economic,strength and
independence in old age, influences fertility, the power and impact
migration, planning a need for growth of cities and sharing and
sustaining earth's resources. |