World Population Day

Population estimates.

Young people are a vital driving force in all societies, contributing energy, innovation and creativity to national development and to the achievement of the Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Yet, many continue to face significant barriers that limit young people’s ability to realise their full potential and to participate meaningfully in society. World Population Highlights 2026: Youth provides sound, comparable and timely data on global youth population trends, including changes in size and geographical distribution and key dimensions of youth well-being. The report identifies priority actions to reduce disparities, promote sustainable livelihoods, improve health outcomes — including sexual and reproductive health — and strengthen the protection of young people’s rights. The findings of this report can help policymakers, youth advocates and civil society to integrate population foresight into the formulation of policies and programmes and to ensure t...

                                                                    EVENT: On Saturday, July 11th , a webinar to mark the World Population Day 2026 will be held. Register to participate and  Watch the livestream! Statement by UNFPA Executive Director on World Population Day 2026; July11th. We are living through a time of profound demographic change. Some countries have historically large numbers of young people. Others are experiencing rapid population ageing. And many are navigating both. Societies and economies are being reshaped by intersecting crises, rising inequalities and disruptive technologies. At the same time, information and misinformation are redefining how we perceive the world around us. How do young adults see their lives, ambitions and futures in a world of constant change? This is the questio...

 Findings from the Demographic Futures Survey 2026 . Around the world, demographic change is prompting urgent debate about fertility, family life and the future. Lives, Choices and Futures, UNFPA’s report on the findings of the 2025-2026 Demographic Futures Survey brings together one of the most geographically diverse bodies of evidence on how young adults’ hopes and decisions about relationships, parenthood and the future take place in an uncertain world. Through the voices of over 108,000 Internet-connected people aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries, this report shows that many young people continue to value partnership and parenthood, but the conditions to realize these aspirations often feel out of reach. The findings reveal:  More than two thirds of respondents want to marry or live with a partner. Two children is the most commonly reported ideal family size in five out of seven regional groupings. Economic and housing constraints constitute the most common obstacles t...

The theme for World Population Day 2026 this year is “ Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people – today and for the future .” The theme reflects a new report on the findings of the UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey , which asked more than 100,000 Internet-connected people aged 18 to 39 in 73 countries about their partnership, reproductive and life aspirations. The report  entitled " Lives, Choices and Futures. " will be published on 7 July, just ahead of World Population Day – a timely opportunity to place evidence at the centre of global discussions on demographic change, reproductive rights and sustainable development.

The aim of the UN Population Award Ceremony is to celebrate the achievements of laureates and their contributions to the development and/or implementation of solutions to issues and questions related to population and development. The Secretary-General's message for the 2026 United Nations Population Award Ceremony, to be delivered by the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Diene Keita The United Nations General Assembly established the United Nations Population Award in resolution 36/201 on 17 December 1981. The Award is presented annually to an individual or individuals, or to an institution or institutions, or to any combination thereof, for the most outstanding contribution to the awareness of population questions or to their solutions. Each year, the Committee for the United Nations Population Award honours an individual and/or institution in recognition of outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health questions and to thei...

 Societies are “heading towards a demographic cliff”, according to some headlines. The “global baby bust” is the result of a “feminist revolt”, others speculate. Behind the hyperbole is a kernel of truth: Population data do show that around the world fertility rates are falling. Yet many of the attendant claims, from the threat of human extinction to the role of feminism – are rooted in myths and misogyny. Today, UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, which is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, is releasing findings from its Demographic Futures Survey, one of the largest, most geographically comprehensive surveys to date exploring what young adults want for their reproductive futures. Over 108,000 Internet-connected young adults, aged 18 to 39 from 73 countries, were asked what they want when it comes to relationships, children and the future – and what they feel is standing in their way. These young adults, from every geographical region showed remarkable agreem...