5 reasons not to miss the World Population Prospects 2022

On 11 July, UN DESA’s Population Division will release World Population Prospects 2022. This is the 27^th edition of the official estimates and projections of the global population, published by the United Nations since 1951. Here are five reasons why we should be paying attention:

1. Demographic trends underpin national development planning

Understanding population trends and anticipating demographic change are crucial for national development planning and for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For instance, countries experiencing rapid population growth must provide schooling and health care to growing numbers of children and youth. Countries where population growth has slowed or stopped must prepare for an increasing proportion of older persons and, in some cases, decreasing population size.

2. World Population Prospects 2022 will be used for one-quarter of the SDG indicators

World Population Prospects 2022 will be used in the calculation of many development indicators used by the United Nations system, including about one-quarter of the indicators used to monitor global progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

3. The report reflects the demographic impact of COVID-19

Even though the full impact of the pandemic on demographic trends may not be known for several years, World Population Prospects 2022 considers the latest available information on the implications of the pandemic on mortality levels and trends, as well as on fertility and international migration.

4. For the first time, data is presented by single age and calendar year

For the first time in the history of United Nations population estimates and projections, World Population Prospects 2022 includes estimates and projections by single age and calendar year (“1x1”), instead of the five-year intervals (“5x5”) used so far.

5. World Population Prospects 2022 is based on an unprecedented number of sources

World Population Prospects 2022 considers the results of 1,758 national population censuses, information from civil registration and vital statistics systems for 169 countries, and 2,890 nationally representative sample surveys.

How will these latest demographic trends affect the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? Join us at the press briefing on 11 July at 12 noon EDT to find out! The event will be livestreamed via webtv.un.org.