BASED on projections by the Commission on Population (POPCOM) and data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Philippine population will continue to increase in 2017 and is projected to reach 105,758,850 by December 31, 2017.
As of Sunday, July 9, the current Philippine population is 103,842,929 or 1.38 percent of the world’s total population, based on the latest United Nations estimates. The nation’s population has grown over two percent each year since 2000. A mere 50 years ago, the country’s population stood at 27.1 million.
Other population trends being tracked by POPCOM for 2017 are the numbers of schoolchildren, which is expected to rise to 31.5 million, the labor force of 66.7 million and the segment over 65 years old at 5.2 million.
While every life is a cause of celebration, the world recognizes the need to address the urgency and importance of population issues. This is why the world observes July 11 as the World Population Day to enhance awareness of population issues, including their relation to the environment and development.
Humankind didn’t hit the 1 billionth threshold until the 19th century. Today, human inhabitants have since been growing by exponential leaps. The world’s population now stands at 7.5 billion. Reaching this number is as much a milestone in human history as it is a worldwide cause for deep concern.
The world is expected to grow another 2.4 billion and reach almost 10 billion in 2050. That’s the same as adding nearly two more Chinas or eight times more U.S. residents to this already crowded planet.
In the Philippines, at least three babies are born every minute, making the country’s population growth a daunting challenge. Stabilizing these numbers, so that they don’t outstrip economic growth, is an even more challenging task.
Although it is anathema to the Church and pro-life advocates, population control is a practical option right now. Controlling population growth may not be the ultimate solution to such survival, but it renders a chance for a better future.
A ballooning population interlinks a myriad of issues. But its control equates a matter of survival of the human race. Controlling the population may not be the ultimate solution to such survival, but it renders a chance for a better future.
Without urgent efforts to stabilize and reduce population growth, nature might finally provide alternative solutions to the problem with famine, disease and war.
The government needs to vigorously implement its population policies, which are responsible parenthood and the advocacy for natural family planning. There are a number of other worthwhile methods people can and should employ to reduce fertility rates. Some have proven track records, while others, are eminently sensible. (AJPress)
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