World Population Day 2025: Growing Population, Shrinking Resources – A Nation’s Unseen Crisis

Jaipur

Every year, July 11 is observed as World Population Day—a moment to reflect on the pressing challenges of unchecked population growth. The day marks the point in 1987 when the global population reached 5 billion, and in 1990, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) officially declared it as an annual observance to raise awareness on issues such as family planning, gender equality, poverty, and access to healthcare.

India’s Population Pressure: A Mounting Concern

India, with its rapidly rising population, faces an uphill battle. According to the 2011 Census, the sex ratio stood at 943 women per 1,000 men, while the literacy rate was recorded at 74.04%. The country has one of the world’s youngest populations, but the elderly segment is also growing fast—placing a dual burden on its social and economic infrastructure.

This population boom impacts essential services like education, healthcare, housing, drinking water, and transportation. However, if managed wisely, population growth can be transformed into a demographic dividend. This requires strong investments in education, public health, and skill development.

Caste Census: An Unfinished Debate

In recent years, the debate over a caste-based census has intensified. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has emphasized the need for it to ensure targeted welfare, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed readiness to proceed with the exercise. Although it may pave the way for more inclusive policymaking, the true benefits of such a move remain uncertain and long-term.

Hunger in a Land of Surplus

India’s food crisis presents a paradox. Despite being a food-surplus country, over 200 million people sleep hungry each night, according to a United Nations report. An estimated 194 million Indians are malnourished, and around 6.7 million children go an entire day without any food.

The UN Food Waste Index Report 2024 reveals that globally, 19% of total food production—equivalent to 1.05 billion tonnes—is wasted annually. India is among the largest contributors to this waste, even as it ranks 111th among 125 countries in the Global Hunger Index. In such a context, food wastage is not just a management failure—it is a moral issue.

Unemployment: A Generation in Crisis

India’s youth are facing an alarming unemployment crisis. According to the India Employment Report 2024 by the Institute for Human Development and the International Labour Organization, 82.9% of the unemployed in 2022 were educated young people.

This points to a worrying gap between educational outcomes and job readiness. India’s ambitious goals—like achieving a $5 trillion economy and becoming a developed nation by 2047—cannot be realized unless its youth are meaningfully employed and empowered.

Food Wastage: A National Shame

Food waste in India is both staggering and shameful. With nearly 33% of global food wasted each year, the issue is serious enough to warrant global observances like Stop Food Waste Day. But awareness must lead to action. In a country where millions go hungry, allowing food to rot is not just inefficient—it is ethically indefensible.

Conclusion: Turning Population into Power

Population is not just a number—it is potential. If managed effectively, it can be a country’s greatest strength. But without adequate planning, investment, and policy reforms, it becomes a liability. India must work toward ensuring that every citizen—particularly the youth—has access to opportunity, dignity, and a future worth striving for.

By: Nafees Afridi,

Jaipur