The United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are a global blueprint for a better future, addressing pressing challenges like poverty, inequality and climate change. With the UN Summit of the Future just a month away, there is no better time to focus on how population solutions can help achieve these ambitious targets.

What Are the Sustainable Development Goals?

The Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, were adopted by the UN in 2015 to create a more equitable and sustainable world by 2030. The 17 goals encompass a wide range of issues. They include eradicating poverty and hunger to promoting quality education, gender equality, clean energy and climate action.

Including population is critical for driving progress in the SDGs, particularly in areas like gender equality, health and education. By tackling population challenges, we can create a sustainable future while aligning with the broader SDG framework.

Population Solutions and Their Impact on Gender Equality, Health and Education

Population solutions play a pivotal role in advancing health, education and gender equality. Let’s look at how addressing population can create positive change in these key areas.

Health (SDG 3)

Insufficient funding strains healthcare systems as populations grow. Limited access to reproductive healthcare, including modern contraception and safe abortion, results in high unwanted pregnancies and preventable maternal deaths. Globally, nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended, and hundreds of women die from pregnancy-related complications daily.

Population growth exacerbates the unmet need for contraception. High population densities accelerate disease spread and strain already overburdened health services. Investing in quality healthcare and accessible family planning helps manage population growth and enhances lives.

Education (SDG 4)

Investing in quality education is crucial for reducing poverty and managing population growth. Gender inequality limits girls’ access to education. According to UNESCO, 50 million girls aged 6-18 are out of school in sub-Saharan Africa.

More education typically leads to smaller family sizes. When women can delay childbirth and have fewer children, they gain opportunities to pursue advanced degrees, enhancing their future prospects. This aligns with achieving the sustainable development goals.

Gender Equality (SDG 5)

Empowering women and girls to take control their bodies and lives is vital for addressing major social and environmental crises. Gender inequality drives high fertility rates, and no country has yet achieved full equality. Gender-based injustices, including violence and harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation, remain widespread.

According to the UN, ending these issues and meeting family planning needs is affordable but lacks adequate funding. Achieving the sustainable development goals hinges on addressing these critical challenges.

Population: A Key to Achieving All 17 SDGs

While population solutions are crucial for gender equality, health and education, their impact extends to all 17 SDGs. For instance, sustainable population levels help combat climate change (SDG 13) by reducing the demand for resources. Fewer people mean less pressure on natural habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15), helping to protect ecosystems and fight deforestation. Population solutions not only promote more sustainable cities (SDG 11) but also foster innovation (SDG 9), both of which are crucial for ensuring long-term sustainability.

Addressing population challenges isn’t just about reducing numbers; it’s about ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live in dignity and security. By investing in education, healthcare and family planning, we can build societies that are more resilient and better equipped to meet the SDGs.

The Importance of Population at the UN Summit of the Future

The upcoming UN Summit of the Future is an important opportunity to elevate the conversation around the intersection between population solutions and sustainable development. As world leaders come together to discuss the future of the planet, it’s essential that they recognise the critical role that population plays in achieving the SDGs.

Ignoring population issues will hinder progress across the entire development agenda. Leaders must prioritise investment in education, reproductive health and family planning as key components of sustainable development. Population Matters will be in attendance to make our voice heard.

Take Action for a Sustainable Future

The success of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals depends on our collective ability to address population issues. Population solutions are not just a part of the solution; they are the key to driving progress. As the UN Summit of the Future approaches, now is the time to advocate for these critical issues.

Please contact your government to press them to recognise population growth as a factor within the SDGs. By using the right population solutions, we can create a world where everyone thrives. Let’s make sure our voices are heard at the UN Summit of the Future and beyond.