Debate article
Dagens Industri 31 October 2011
Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation
Seven billion on the same small globe
Our numbers on the planet are increasing, in part because we live longer and fewer children die. More people means more challenges and opportunities, write Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson and Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund Babatunde Osotimehin.
This year marks the first time that there will be seven billion of us on the planet. Information about this and a great deal more is available in the United Nations Population Fund report, 'State of World Population 2011'. The report will play an important part in the Swedish Government's work for sustainable development.
Our numbers on the planet are increasing, in part because we live longer and fewer children die. More people means more challenges and opportunities, but we must never allow the increase in population to be used as an excuse to force people to have more or fewer children. Sweden and the UNFPA work together to ensure that each individual can exercise control over his or her own body, sexuality and reproduction. We do this by giving women and men access to contraceptives, sex education and counselling.
At the same time, the consequences of population growth must be managed through investments in sustainable social, economic and environmental development. We must become much better at managing the world's resources. People must have access to education and health care, be able to take part in democratic processes and make their voices heard.
A quarter of the world's population is between the ages of 10 and 24. Girls and boys, young women and men, can be actors for sustainable development if we invest in their health, education and social commitment. Not least, young people must receive support and encouragement to find a profession, start companies or become entrepreneurs. In short, they must be given the opportunity to shape their own lives.
But all too many young people, particularly girls and young women, do not have the opportunity to complete their education. One reason is that over 50 million girls between the ages of 15 and 19 are married, and every year some 16 million girls under the age of 20 become mothers.
For a young woman, one additional year of study can mean 10-20 per cent higher pay. Preventing teenage pregnancies is therefore an investment, not only in women's health and rights, but also in economic growth. Women who get an education and live a more gender-equal life generally choose to have fewer children, which leads to slower population growth and strengthens countries' long-term economic prospects.
In June 2012, the UN will arrange a conference on sustainable development in Rio de Janeiro. At the conference, young people and their prospects for contributing to sustainable development will be a priority issue for Sweden and the UNFPA. We will continue to work together by highlighting the needs and perspectives of young people, both ahead of and following the conference in Rio de Janeiro.
