News | Population Matters

Global insect collapse threatens all life on Earth

17 January 2019

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.

Biodiversity Environment

US and China's population growth at new low

7 January 2019

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.

Asia population Environment US population World population

UN climate talks: disappointments and silver linings

Sir David Attenborough speaking at COP24

19 December 2018

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?

Climate Environment

Making migration safe

14 December 2018

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?

Development Environment World population

Progress in family planning – but a long road ahead

12 December 2018

Last week, Family Planning 2020 released its annual report. The project is designed to enable 120 more million women and girls in the world’s poorest countries to use modern contraception by 2020.

Family planning Women's rights World population

How to feed the world without destroying it

7 December 2018

A new report investigates the enormous challenge of feeding our rapidly growing population without further damaging our environment and worsening climate change.

Development Environment Food & water World population

Speaking out on climate change

23 November 2018

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.

Climate Environment

Running to stand still? Meeting family planning targets.

14 November 2018

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.

Development Family planning Women's rights

What do declining global fertility rates really mean?

11 November 2018

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.

Development Families World population

Campaigning for more UK aid for family planning

5 November 2018

Access to family planning services is vital to poverty reduction and the success of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Development Family planning

Meet our new chief executive

4 November 2018

In December, Robin Maynard started work at Population Matters as our Interim CEO. In this interview, he explains why he is here and what he hopes to achieve.

Environment World population

The UK election, overseas aid and family planning

4 November 2018

Since this item was written, the Prime Minister has confirmed that the commitment to current levels of aid spending will remain a part of the Conservative Party programme for government if it is re-elected. In a brief comment, she also said: “what we need to look at is how that money is spent”.

UK population

Livestock, extinction . . . and population

3 November 2018

Last week, Population Matters attended the high-profile Livestock and Extinction conference in London. The conference brought together experts on food production, wildlife, the environment, policymaking, and health to examine the impact of industrial agriculture on the natural world and identify solutions.

Environment Food & water UK population

Meet our new President: Jonathon Porritt

2 November 2018

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.

Environment World population

US ends funding for United Nations Population Fund

1 November 2018

On Monday, the US declared it was cutting its funds to the United Nations Population Fund(UNFPA) – an agency that promotes family planning in more than 150 countries – threatening the health and rights of millions of girls and women around the world, particularly those most vulnerable.

Family planning

Key WWF report fails to address overpopulation

1 November 2018

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.

Biodiversity Environment World population

One step forward, two steps back in African economic development?

31 October 2018

Despite significant progress in recent years, Malawi’s government is concerned that young Malawis will inherit only poverty as economic gains are neutralised by population growth.

Africa population Development Economics Family planning

UN population report: progress, but much to do

26 October 2018

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.