A new report shows that adolescents are more likely to use contraception when women and men are more equal in their society. The authors argue that achieving safer sex among teenagers requires work to overturn sexist policies, expectations and attitudes.
Crisis? What crisis? Government complacency on environment
The UK and Scottish Governments have responded to a letter from Population Matters with platitudes and complacency. In the case of the Scottish Government, their reply was sent eight months after we first contacted them.
A new study found that three out of five of the world's largest animal species are threatened with extinction because humans are killing them for food.
An online survey of over 10,000 adults across nine countries found that more than two thirds of respondents consider population growth a “global catastrophic risk”. However, less than one quarter believe the issue requires urgent action and just over half believe continued population growth will have “negative effects”, demonstrating the urgent need for increased awareness.
Funding for sexual health and family planning from European donor countries increased by 17% between 2016 and 2017, with the UK remaining one of the largest donors.
Stigma and fears - barriers to family planning in Africa
Tens of millions of married women in sub-Saharan Africa are not using effective, modern contraception. A new study provides insights on the reasons, and reveals how the barriers might be overcome.
Global insect collapse threatens all life on Earth
Recently documented insect population crashes in Puerto Rico and Germany reflect a worrying global trend that is gaining increasing media coverage for good reason: insects are essential for the healthy function of ecosystems. The named culprits are climate change, habitat destruction and pesticides use, all of which are driven and amplified by our growing numbers.
Population growth rates in the US and China are now at 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively. Whilst both countries achieved similar results with very different measures, a lower number of people being added every year is a welcome development on our overstretched planet.
UN climate talks: disappointments and silver linings
UN climate talks in Poland finished late last Saturday night after two weeks of painfully slow and frustrating negotiations. But what was agreed and will the outcomes help avert catastrophic climate change?
The Global Compact for Safe and Orderly Migration was adopted by countries worldwide this week. It's a welcome and positive move, but does it address all the dangers?
A new report investigates the enormous challenge of feeding our rapidly growing population without further damaging our environment and worsening climate change.
Population Matters' Patron, Sir David Attenborough, is fronting the 'People’s Seat' at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Poland this December. The initiative offers the global public the opportunity to have a presence at discussions through social media.
Running to stand still? Meeting family planning targets.
A new report shows that despite progress, global targets set for the use of modern family planning in 2020 will be missed. Government inaction and international funding shortfalls are among the many barriers faced in some of the world's poorest countries.
What do declining global fertility rates really mean?
A new study has highlighted how fertility rates have declined over the last generation. There are no significant surprises in the report but it emphasises again the progress that has been made and the vast differences that exist between countries. Its conclusion that fertility has declined significantly is very far from a confirmation that we need not worry about population.
One of UK’s most high profile environmental campaigners is to become the new President of Population Matters. Former Green Party leader and director of Friends of the Earth, Jonathon Porritt has been a vocal advocate for population issues and will champion Population Matters’ work in his new role.
WWF International’s latest report on the state of the world’s wildlife once again shies away from addressing the ‘elephant in the room’. As one of the world’s most influential and popular environmental organisations, WWF is failing in its duty to confront the main driver of species decline: unsustainable human population pressure.
The new State of the World Population 2018 report published by the United Nations Population Fund highlights the importance of having the power to choose the timing, number, and spacing of children in order to promote global economic and social development.
