The world’s population passed the 7 billion mark in 2011, and this has profound implications for development. Especially considering that almost all of the growth is expected to occur in the cities of less developed countries.
Using data to plan the future
If a country is to see to its people’s needs, the government needs a full set of facts and figures to understand the population dynamics, chart the trends and plan for the future. This allows it to build sound policies and generate political will to appropriately address the nation’s needs – now and in the future.
UNFPA assists countries in every aspect of this task, from developing capacity in data collection and analysis, to participating in national, regional and global policy dialogue. It includes migration, ageing, climate change and urbanization.
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2011 South African census fieldworkers.
(Photo: Vuk'uzenzele) - Population Dynamics and Climate Change
- Facing a Changing World: Women, Population and Climate
- Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth
- International Migration and Human Rights
Population and development in Africa
Read about the current context.
Other focus areas
Sexual and reproductive health
Reproductive health commodity security
HIV and AIDS
Gender equality
