Jakarta — The United Nations estimates that in November 2022, the world’s population will reach 8 billion people. Commemorating World Population Day on July 11, BKKBN and UNFPA conducted a reflection on the number of the world population. The growth of the world’s population has been made possible by, among other things, technological innovations that have made our lives easier. Advances in the health sector have helped increase Life Expectancy (UHH) and reduce Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), and Child Mortality Rate (AKA). The 8 billion people of the world are either a threat or an opportunity. The threat is when we think that a number is just a number, even though the concept of population is more than just a number. It is an opportunity if the people of the world can live their lives happily, healthy, and prosperously.
“The world population of 8 billion people means that there are 8 billion opportunities for all citizens of the world to be able to live healthier and more prosperously in accordance with their respective rights and choices,” said the Head of BKKBN Dr.(H.C) dr. Hasto Wardoyo, Sp.OG (K) in his speech which in this case was represented by the Deputy for Population Control, Dr. Bonivasius Prasetya Ichtiarto, S.Si., M.Eng when opening the Commemoration of World Population Day at The Westin Hotel, Jakarta (11/07).
Photo: Deputy for Population Control, Dr. Bonivasius Prasetya Ichtiarto, S.Si., M.Eng
According to him, the population must be the center of development activities. The direction of future population development is also human-centered. To maintain sustainable development and the welfare of the population, there are several factors that need to be considered. First, the population grows in a balanced and quality manner. Second, the distribution of the population must be balanced (controlling urbanization and managing migration) and adapted to the carrying capacity of the environment. Third, the population needs to get comprehensive social protection. Fourth, a strong population is a population that can maintain the noble values of culture by maintaining a balance between generations.
Photo: The Head of Representative for UNFPA Indonesia, Ms. Anjali Sen
On the same occasion, the Head of Representative for UNFPA Indonesia, Ms. Anjali Sen invites to focus not on numbers and levels, but on how all sectors and people of the world can work together to take advantage of the opportunities under this changing demographic, and overcome all potential challenges so that we can all live with dignity, with guaranteed rights and choices.
“Let’s avoid responding to a world of 8 billion people with fear or counterproductive measures. Let’s avoid exacerbating inequality by taking steps that erode human rights. Let us protect the rights of women and girls to make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their own futures,” he added.
To realize a Balanced Growing Population (PTS), it has been determined that the main strategic target to be achieved is to reduce the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from 2.26 children per woman in 2020 to 2.1 children per woman in 2020. 2024. This TFR target is in line with the 2015-2045 Indonesian Population Projection of 2015-2045 Supas Results (Bappenas et al., 2018) which maintains a TFR of 2.1 children per woman until 2045. Meanwhile globally, a TFR of 2.1 is considered a replacement level or the rate at which one generation will replace the previous generation so that uncontrolled population growth occurs.
The commemoration of World Population Day on 11 July 2022 takes the theme “A World of 8 Billion People: Ensuring Rights and Choices for All Towards Demographic Resilience”. This event was held in a hybrid way, offline at The Westin Hotel Jakarta, online via zoom meeting, and the BKKBN Official Youtube account. This event was moderated by Dr. M. Nashrul Wajdi SST., M.Si (BPS)invited Richard Makalew (UNFPA PD Program Specialist), Wendy Hartanto (BKKBN), Prof.
Dr. Sri Moertiningsih Adioetomo (FE UI), Valentina Sagala (Women’s Institute), and dr. Tiara Marthias (consultant for RAN PIJAR, the young researcher). (PR/RFS)
PRESS CONFERENCE
No. 148/M.C/VII/2022