In a world of now 7 billion people,a bleak future lies ahead of young people

MANILA, Philippines — Last Monday, Oct. 31, the world’s population reached a stunning seven billion, and the latest addition to the burgeoning number of humanity came from the Philippines.

Danica May Camacho, born two minutes before midnight at the Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, was chosen by the United Nations (UN) as the first baby to symbolize the seven billion global population milestone. The 5.5-pound premature baby girl is the second of two children of Camille Galura and partner Florante Camacho, a tricycle driver.

While celebrations led by the UN marked the birth of Danica and the other symbolic seven billionth babies around the world, a bleak future predictably lies ahead of her and the whole of mankind if the challenges and struggles that come with a populous environment are not addressed effectively.

STATE OF THE WORLD

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) revealed in its 2011 State of the World Population Report that China remains to be the most populous country with 1.35 billion people, followed by India at 1.24 billion. It is estimated that India will overtake China in 2025 with 1.46 billion people against the latter’s 1.39.

The report “People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion” cited that Asia remains to hold 60 percent of the world’s population while the Philippines with 94.9 million people is ranked as the 12th most populous country in the world.

“The State of the World Population 2011 explores the paradoxes from the perspective of individuals and describes the obstacles they confront and overcome in trying to build better live for their themselves, their families, communities and nations,” states the report.

Through personal accounts of ordinary people in nine countries namely China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Finland, India, Mexico, Mozambique, Nigeria and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, real-life challenges are unveiled with a collage of diverse human experiences, aspirations, and priorities.

GLOBAL TRUTHS

In the Philippines, UNFPA representative Ugochi Daniels says 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.

While Philippine population remains young with 54 percent under the age of 25, many Filipino youth lack the life skills needed to deal with the challenges they encounter. Among these is proper information on sexuality.

Daniels reveals that 10 percent of Filipino girls aged 15 to 19 have begun childbearing. The youth have also become more vulnerable to HIV infections with 35 percent (56 out of the 156 new cases in August 2011) belonging to the 15 to 24 age group.

The trafficking of women, Daniels adds, is also an issue in a country where 49 percent of the population live in cities while the rest look for better opportunities elsewhere.

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE

While these global population trends pose big challenges, the UNFPA report also underscores opportunities that can be maximized.

For one, the average life expectancy is now higher — from 48 years old in the early 1950s, to 68 years old in the first decade of the new century.

The report states that infant deaths have been significantly reduced from 133 in 1,000 births in 1950s, to 46 from 2005 to 2010.

Fertility rates have also dropped by more than half, from 6.0 to 2.5. “It’s not all gloom and doom.

There can be problems but there can also be opportunity. I think the really important issue here is to address the issues of inequity and inequality.

In the Philippines, allowing young people especially women to access reproductive health services will have a big effect on so many things.

It will address problems on poverty, migration, education, employment, among others. The young people are your best resource of capital that can contribute to the economy. Addressing their needs should be a priority,” stresses Daniels.

National Youth Commission (NYC) chair Leon Flores welcomes the UN’s acknowledgement of the youth as a force that can propel economic development. Flores echoes the call to attend to the youth’s needs.

“The good news is we have the numbers, we are a force. But the bad news is, a lot of the time we are not listened to. Many of us do not have access to quality education so we cannot find jobs. We do not have the skills. The government must address these needs to maximize the power of the youth. On the other hand, the youth must be responsible in exercising that power,” says Flores.

He also finds the UNFPA report a more compelling argument to push for the passage of the controversial Reproductive Health Bill. Last year, the NYC has undertaken a survey among 5,800 youth across the country where more than 70 percent said they are supportive of most of the provisions in the bill.

Flores believes the youth are capable of making informed and sound decisions when it comes to their health and rights. He believes that giving them access to reproductive health services will make them more empowered yet responsible individuals.

The UNFPA report also lists down seven opportunities or initiatives that countries may adopt in facing today’s challenges. These include:

1. Reducing poverty and inequality can slow population growth.

2. Unleashing the power of women and girls can accelerate progress on all fronts.

3. Energetic and open to new technologies, young people can transform global politics and culture.

4. Ensuring that every child is wanted and that every childbirth is safe can lead to smaller and stronger families.

5. Each of us depends on a healthy planet so we must all help protect the environment.

6. Promoting the health and productivity of the world’s older people can mitigate the challenges faced by ageing societies.

7. The next two billion people will live in cities so we must plan for them now.

“With planning and the right investments in people, a world of seven billion and beyond can have thriving, sustainable cities, productive labor forces that fuel economic growth, young populations that contribute to the well-being of economies and societies and a generation of older people who are healthy and actively engaged in the social and economic affairs of their communities,” says the UNFPA report. –RACHEL C. BARAWID, Manila Bulletin