July 11World Population Day was established by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme to focus public attention on the issue of population growth. Schools, businesses, and organizations around the world are urged to observe July 11 with speeches, programs, and activities that address population issues and encourage people to think of solutions to the health, social, and economic problems associated with population growth. World Population Day is an outgrowth of the Day of Five Billion, which was observed on July 11, 1987, to mark the approximate date when the world's population reached five billion.
The world's population reached 6.06 billion by 2000, and could surpass eight billion by the year 2050, according to U.N. estimates.
CONTACTS:
United Nations, Population Fund
220 E. 42nd St.
New York, NY 10017
212-297-5000; fax: 212-370-0201
www.unfpa.org