A high level event jointly organized by the Ministry of Planning and Development, UNFPA, and the Consortium of Reproductive Health Associations was held on December 22 to mark the “Day of 8 billion.” The event was organized to commemorate the world population reaching the 8 billionth mark recently.

Speaking on the occasion, H.E. Dr. Fitsum Assefa, the Minister of Planning and Development of Ethiopia, said the Ten Years Development Plan (2021-2030) of Ethiopia gives adequate emphasis on population and development issues by specifying the harnessing of demographic dividend as one of the priority areas. “The Ministry of Planning and Development in collaboration with the UNFPA has already begun preliminary works on the preparation of a demographic dividend roadmap,” she noted adding that the roadmap would be instrumental in “integrating population issues into regional and sectoral development plans as we have begun doing it in the Ten Years Development Plan.”

The world population reached 8 billion on 15 November 2022 as per projections by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. This phenomenon is being marked around the world with the theme The Day of 8 billion: A world of infinite possibilities highlighting the need to exploit the opportunities rather than dwelling on the challenges connected with the increase in world population.

“Instead of fearing population increases, it is incumbent on us to ensure the quality of life for each of the 8 billion individuals now living on earth,” said Ms. Suzanne Mandong, UNFPA Ethiopia Representative, in her remarks at the event. “We must forge stronger partnerships to address the multitude of barriers that are denying millions of people their rights and choices in order to create a world of infinite possibilities and inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development,” she added.

More than half of the population growth that made up the increase from 7 to 8 billion was concentrated in just 10 countries in the developing world, one among which is Ethiopia. Additionally, more than half of the projected increase in global population up to 2050 will occur in just eight countries – the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The high level event saw the dissemination of three policy briefs dealing with issues of population dynamics which were commissioned by the Ministry of Planning and Development and developed with the support of UNFPA.

The high level event was attended by senior government officials and representatives of development partners, civil society organizations and academia.