Population Dynamics
As of the year 2011, seven billion people now live on Earth. Much has to be done in order to reduce poverty, to provide universal access to health care and family planning, and to decrease our high consumption of resources. This is where DSW steps in with its development programmes and advocacy work.
Many women give birth to more children than they want due to a lack of contraceptives and effective family planning. With the implementation of our Youth-to-Youth Initiative, we are educating thousands of young people in Africa about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and on how to create a healthy and independent future for themselves.
Furthermore, DSW's comprehensive advocacy work is done by talking to and engaging with national, local and international political authorities. In our dialogue we advocate for the necessity of voluntary family planning and reproductive health.
Population Development
- Foto: Jörg Bahr
World population reached one billion in 1800. At the beginning of the 20th century, there were already 1.6 billion people living on the earth. By 1927 the number had reached two billion; 33 years later there were three billion. In 1974, four billion people were counted, and in 1987 the figure was five billion. In 1999, there were six billion people living on the earth, and the world's population will reach seven billion this year (2011).
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- Foto: Andrea Künzig
Birth Rates
Many Births in Africa
The regional differences in birth rates are striking: in developing countries (except China), a woman gives birth to 3.1 children on average. By comparison, women in industrialized nations give birth to an average of 1.7 children. more >
Family Planning
Internationally recognized Human Right
The number of pregnancies in developing countries would immediately drop by approximately 20 per cent if the unmet need for family planning were to be met. more >
Ageing
Ageing in Developing Countries
Today there are already more than about 784 million people in the world who are older than 60 years. The trend towards ageing societies can also be observed in developing countries. With a view to the prevalent lack of social security systems, the prerequisites for providing the coming old generation with sufficient care are particularly poor. more >
Projections
Future Development
The future development of the world's population is not a question of fate, but can be controlled. Even minimal differences in the average number of children per woman may have a significant effect on future population dimensions. more >
Population and Water
Global Problem
Water shortage is already one of the most serious global problems. In future, the number of countries in which fresh water is a scarce resource will increase. This means that also the risk of food crises will increase. more >
Population and Nutrition
Fight against Hunger
There are more than 925 million chronically undernourished people in the world, 98 per cent of whom live in developing countries. Every year, approximately 4 million children die of famine and malnutrition. more >
Population and Climate
Growing Emissions
Global warming is probably the most serious threat to the environment. The main cause of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gases caused by humans, particularly of carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere. World population growth will also contribute to the future rise in global CO2 emissions. more >
Population and Forest
Declining Forests
The rapid population growth poses a serious threat to the world’s forests. Every year, enormous forest areas are cleared to meet the needs of an ever growing number of people for fuel wood, lumber, farmland and pasture and settlement areas. more >
