The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged the world to focus on women's reproductive rights to build "demographic resilience" rather than concentrating on the impact of soaring population growth.
The UNFPA revealed that almost half of women worldwide are unable to make decisions regarding contraception, healthcare and their sexual partners. It also found that almost 50% of all pregnancies are unintended.
T
he UNFPA report stated that the countries with the highest fertility rates are suffering the most from global warming but contribute the least to it. The UNFPA suggested that instead of worrying about the size of the world's population, countries should consider their ability to adapt to fluctuations in population growth and fertility rates.
The report revealed that India is expected to become the world's most populous country by 2048. Meanwhile, Europe is projected to be the only region where there will be an overall population decline by 2050. The report found that efforts by governments to control fertility rates are often ineffective.
Finally, it highlighted the problem of underage pregnancies, with half a million births taking place annually among girls aged 10-14, many of whom are married or have been abused.
