Population Matters I Every Choice Counts

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Our vision is of a future in which our population co-exists in harmony with nature and prospers on a healthy planet, to the benefit of all.

“All our environmental problems become easier to solve with fewer people, and harder – and ultimately impossible – to solve with ever more people.”

Sir David Attenborough
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Current world population

The issue

The facts

Our population has become so large that the Earth is struggling to cope. Right now, we add more than 80 million people a year.

Solutions

Ending population growth can be achieved through positive, empowering, choice-based actions which improve people’s lives and bring multiple other benefits.

There are many misconceptions about population – what the numbers say, what the impact is, and what population campaigners want to do about it. We look at some of the common myths – and provide the answers.

Population Explorer

Our Population Explorer is an interactive online tool providing insights into population growth and its impacts on nature, climate change and our demand for the Earth’s resources. Why not try it out now!

Take action

Gilead Watch: Protect womens’ rights from pronatal politicians

Population Matters’ 2021 report, Welcome to Gilead, examined how policymakers across the world are promoting and implementing policies to increase birth rates that abuse women’s reproductive rights.

Urgent: Governments must tackle population to save biodiversity

To prevent further biodiversity loss, we must address the impact of our growing human population. In the run-up to the crucial COP15 biodiversity summit later this year, please call on your country’s environment minister to ensure that positive, choice-based population solutions are included in the new global biodiversity agreement.

Urge the UK Foreign secretary to reverse devastating aid cuts

The UK Government’s planned aid cuts will deal a devastating blow to the most vulnerable women and girls. Urge the Foreign Secretary James Cleverly to reverse this terrible move.

Join the global family

Sadly, millions of people still don’t have the freedom to choose. Join the growing family of people around the world who believe that #ChoiceMatters and who have committed to planning for…

LATEST NEWS

MENSTRUATION, CHILD MARRIAGE & FERTILITY RATES: THE LINKAGES

28 May 2023

UNFPA description of period poverty
The struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products. The term also refers to the increased economic vulnerability women and girls face due the financial burden posed by menstrual supplies. These include not only menstrual pads and tampons, but also related costs such as pain medication and underwear. Period poverty does not only affect women and girls in developing countries; it also affects women in wealthy, industrialized countries.
Pronatalism in the UK: should we be worried?

24 May 2023

The recent NatCon convention attracted a lot of newspaper column inches and backbencher Miriam Cates made a bit of a splash with a speech focusing on the importance of having children. Is there anything to be wary about here?
Springing into Action for our Planet

22 May 2023

Today is the International Day of Biodiversity, which marks the end of Population Matters’ Spring Action Month. What a month it has been! Here’s a quick recap of some of the highlights.

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