World Population Day was established in 1989 by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programmer — UNDP. The inspiration for this holiday was the peaking public interest in the celebration of ‘Five Billion Day’ on July 11, 1987. This original date was decided to be set as ‘World Population Day’ by the United Nations General Assembly, and resolution 45/216 made this official in December 1990.

World Population Day serves to highlight the growing problems that come with a growing global population. Overpopulation is a crucial issue, especially considering that world resources are depleting at an unsustainable rate. Awareness about the effects of overpopulation on development and nature is emphasized. The increasing population also sheds light on health problems faced by women during pregnancy and childbirth, making the need for family planning, gender equality, and maternal health more important than ever.  

The issue of population is also causing strain on society: heinous crimes are happening more than ever in the areas of gender inequality and human rights, especially in developing countries. Leadership is already doing a subpar job at taking care of its citizens, and as more people come into the world, violations such as human trafficking and child labor are increasingly becoming normal.

God, we thank you for the great diversity of the human family and for Earth, which is our common home.  We recognize that all the gifts of Earth are finite, and that human population growth cannot be limitless.  Help us to act responsibly as we re-evaluate our place in the great family of creation.  Give our Church the courage to evaluate anew the issues around population growth and to speak with moral authority based on a realistic assessment of the current global situation and on the sacredness of human life.  Help us all to approach these issues with openness.