Phl is 12th most populous country

MANILA, Philippines – World population will reach seven billion by Oct. 31 with the Philippines being the 12th most populous country, a report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFA) showed.

At the launch of the “2011 State of the World Population Report” yesterday, UNFA Representative Ugochi Daniels said that while women worldwide are having fewer children, global population continues to rise, partly because of higher life expectancy.

“While our world of seven billion presents a complex picture of trends and paradoxes, there are some essential global truths we observe. Conversely, there is no one global population outlook,” Daniels said.

By Oct. 31, 60 percent of the world’s population will belong to Asia. China continues to be the country with the biggest population in the world at 1.3 billion, followed by India at 1.24 billion.

The Population Division of the UN-Department of Economic and Social Affairs, however, estimates that by 2025, India will overtake China with 1.46 billion and 1.39 billion, respectively.

The report showed that worldwide, 893 million people are 60 years old or older and by the middle of the century, the number of people in this age bracket will reach 2.4 billion.

People now live longer, with the average life span of 68 against 48 in 1950s.

The UNFPA noted that in many parts of the world where population growth is outpacing economic growth, family planning needs still have to be met.

“The attainment of a stable population is a sine qua non for accelerated economic growth and development. Governments that are serious about eradicating poverty should also be serious about providing the services, supplies, information that women, men and young people need to exercise their reproductive rights,” the report said.

Daniels said the Philippine population is young, 54 percent of whom is below 25 years old, “so there is a need to respond to their needs by providing them with life skills including proper information about their sexuality.”

“Looking at fertility in the local context, Filipino women in the poorest quintile have an average of six children, two more than they desire, because of lack of access to reproductive health information and services,” she noted.

The report showed that at present, 10 percent of Filipino girls aged 15 to 19 have begun childbearing. Young people are also “increasingly becoming vulnerable to” HIV infections.

It also showed that in some of the poorest countries, high fertility rates hamper development and perpetuate poverty.

In some of the affluent nations, however, low fertility rates and too few people entering the job market are raising concerns of sustaining economic growth. –Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)