DYNAMIC CHANGES IN GLOBAL POPULATION PATTERNS.

 United Nations started celebrating July 11th as the "Population Day"  since 1990 after the concept of "World Population Day "was mooted  by the world renowned Indian demographer Dr.K.C.Zacharia .The population estimate and revision currently made by United Nations not only cover 150 years time horizon but also estimates for the period 1950-2024 and projections from 2024 to 2101 for each of the 237 countries or areas for which population estimates or projections are calculated. The estimates basically depend on fertility, mortality and net international migration from 1950 through 2023. Data sources  comprise of  empirical data from civil registration and vital statistics, censuses,demographic surveys, administrative records etc. Along with description of methodology  employed the UN report contains approaches and assumptions utilised to project fertility, mortality and net international migration. As per the 2024 report world's population is expected to grow from current 8.2 billion in 2024 to 10.3 billion in the mid 2080. Among 63 countries that account for 28% of world's population in 2024 include China, Germany, Japan and the Russian federation. Similarly 48 countries representing 10% of global population include Brazil ,Iran,Turkey and Vietnam.In 50 countries and areas immigration is projected as the main driver of growth and substitute to declining domestic population. Report observed that Gender Equality and women empowerment led to both economic and population change. Currently average fertility rate across the globe stands at 2.25 live birth as against 3.31 earlier.As far as India is concerned it's total fertility rate had declined from 3.4  in 1992 to 2 in  2021 reaching below the replacement level of 2.1.However India became the most populous country with 1.44 billion people relegating  China to the second position. By the end of this decade Asia will be the most populated region of the world as against an underpopulated Europe.By late 2070s persons aged 65 and above is projected to outnumber children under 15 to reach 2.2 billion.Future projections also indicated the scenario of  Pakistan's  higher population growth outnumbering that of USA .Similarly African countries are experiencing faster population growth despite persistent poverty and conflict. 

Population Day is usually celebrated with  focus on an ideal theme like "Reproductive health and AIDS" in 1996,"Investing in Young people "in  2014"Unleashing the power of Gender equality "_in 2023 and " leave no one left behind count everyone " in 2024. Each  slogan is very much important in making greater efforts both towards human and economic development. Different phases of population dynamics occurred in terms of the  historical nomadic migratory pattern gradually changed to  becoming settled life near river banks,or hunting places.Later  advent of agriculture and development of civilization led to emergence of towns and cities. Earliier estimates showed that world population had reached the five billion mark in 1987. During the 1960s and 1970s global population  growth recorded was  around 2%. Determinants  of  population dynamics are the quantum of birth, death and migration. The crux of different themes mentioned above in population reports shows the urge for development as well as the path to achieving  United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ensuring basic requirements of food,  shelter, education, health and sanitation for all are core components of healthy population development .The decline in mortality and increase in life expectancy in many countries are due to comprehensive health care system and increased  living standards.India is simultaneously  experiencing   both  the advantages of  "demographic dividend"  and also  problems  associated with "ageing of population" in certain regions of the country. Accordingly there is  urgent need for geriatric care in terms of old age care homes and social security benefits.On the other hand  benefits of existing Demographic Dividend must be effectively channelised through proper skilling, education and training. for the requirements of both the domestic economy as well as global economy (through international migration). With 2030 being the target year set for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals ,(SDGs) we should meticulously plan and act so to  alchieve each and every SDG development goals promptly in time. 

According to NITI Aayog multidimensional poverty index , multi dimensional poverty in India has decreased from 43% to 11% as a result for 144 crores of people it can be estimated as  16 crores in absolute numbers.India's overall SDG score increased from 57 in 2018 to 66 in 2020-21 and 71in 2023-24 largely driven by welfare programs particularly for  poverty reduction ,climate action  and  economic growth.While Kerala and Uttarakhand ranked top with 79 points, followed by .Tamil Nadu 78 and Goa 77 points on the contrary the lowest performer was Bihar with 57 points followed by Jharkand with 62 points. Infact the NITI Aayog poverty index shows that four states comprising of Uttar Pradesh (5.4 crores)Bihar(4.2 crores)Madhya Pradesh (2.52 crores)and Jharkand (1.1 crores) account for  83% of  the poverty ridden total population  below the poverty line. It may be noted here that in the latest UN Sustainable Development Goals India lags far behind with 109th rank out of 193 countries. In India we need more comprehensive and rigorous focus on providing food and nutritional security, health, housing,sanitation,education,fuel and electricity to the people below poverty line and marginalised sections of the society. However accelerated focus on climate change, green energy and technology, digital technology, AI,machine learning  fintech, start ups and more innovative technologies along with thrust on MSMEs and infrastructure development if effectively utilised it would definitely impact the quality of Indian population and economic development.