World Population Day 2024 was observed at MICC-2 here this morning, addressed by Patron of Central Census Commission Vice Chairman of State Administration Council Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win.
Present were SAC members, the Union Election Commission chair, union ministers, the Nay Pyi Taw Council chair, deputy ministers, heads of department, diplomats, officials of the central committee to observe the day and subcommittees, officials of ministries and associations and guests.
In his speech, the Vice-Senior General said the World Population Day was set up on 11 July 1987, on which the global population reached the five billion mark, with the aim of extending and promoting the public awareness of such social issues as family planning, gender equality, poverty, expectant mother health and the importance of human rights that need emergency attention. UN member countries observe World Population Day annually.
As a UN member, Myanmar has been holding the Day since 1990, and today’s is the 35th ceremony. According to a UN report, today’s world population exceeds the eight billion mark. In the olden days, the global population took over 100 years to hit the one billion mark. Thanks to advanced medicines and technology and healthcare undertakings and rapid social development alongside a shift in birth rate and mortality rate the time required to increase one billion in global population is gradually getting shorter.
People are suffering more from food insufficiency, clean water shortages, climate change, pandemics, and natural disasters such as floods and gales and storms as a consequence of global population increase. In addition, they have to face the problem of class disparity that stems from inequality and rise in poverty.
The problem is more serious in developing countries like us and countries with less development. As regards the population issue, birth rates are falling drastically in the majority of developed countries, and they are facing labour shortages and a fall in the number of children and a rise in the elderly population.
In some developing countries and less developed countries, problems such as low education level, high birth rate, rise in unemployment and poverty have become common.
Hence, the UN adopted the sustainable development goals to address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental deterioration, absence of peace and justice. UN member states agreed to implement the sustainable development goals by the year 2030. Based on the goals, every country should take action in time to solve their issues and overcome their challenges.
Hence, it is necessary to review current situation on time to develop a country and set prioritized measures for effective implementation. In so doing, population and socioeconomic data are the most important for relevant regions of Myanmar.
So, the majority of global countries including technological developing countries conduct census-taking measures as usual to obtain these data. It can be found that the United Nation has issued the Principles and Recommendations to enumerate the census. As population and socioeconomic data can be obtained from population census in different areas of the nation, collection of population census is essential for all.
In this regard, the Vice-Senior General said he would like to explain some points for the population and household census 2024 to be enumerated in the country soon. The significant character of census is to provide data to the least administrative areas such as wards and village-tracts.
Data from the census can support statistics on population and socioeconomic data for adopting correct policies, strategies and tactics as well as drawing projects.
Moreover, these data are essential for effective management for allocating natural resources and finance, construction of infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, health units, roads and bridges, and performing care for those with disabilities and older persons and creation of employment opportunities.
In reviewing the history of collecting census in Myanmar, census was taken in 1872, 1891, 1901, 1911, 1921, 1931 and 1941 eight times once every ten years. Some data from these censuses are useful till today.
After taking 2014 census, many data from the census were utilized in drawing the development plans of the State.
Moreover, the approximately data of census is estimated for the nation annually. The 2019 interim census was taken in order to know changes of socioeconomic data and compare data from these censuses before collecting once more census, and these data are useful till today.
The majority of global countries are collecting census once every 10 years. Myanmar is making preparations to take population and household census from 1 to 15 October 2024 with the aim of ensuring firmness of estimated annual population data of the nation and taking correct data for sector wise development projects and research works. Enumeration of census is a single project for ensuring availability of socioeconomic data which is important for adopting development projects and policies of the nation.
As such, it is necessary to strive for successful undertaking of the census-taking process as a national duty.
Additionally, the State Administration Council's fifth step of the five-point roadmap emphasizes ensuring the rights of all eligible voters are protected and that the general election is conducted successfully with accuracy and legitimacy, supported by an accurate voter list.
For World Population Day 2024, the theme is "Helping vulnerable populations in emergencies."
This theme highlights the various emergencies caused by conflicts, wars, natural disasters, and food shortages that people around the world face today.
Especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young women, children, persons with disabilities, and the poor are disproportionately affected.
Women and girls, in particular, face additional risks and their specific needs are often overlooked during such times, impacting their safety, dignity, and health. Addressing these issues benefits both families and communities.
According to international reports, many of those affected by crises are young people. In some countries, three-quarters of those affected are under 25 years old. Nearly half of the world's out-of-school youth live in conflict-affected countries.
As young people represent the future and strength of a nation, ensuring their education and meeting their needs is critical not just for them individually but for the country's future. Therefore, everyone must help protect vulnerable populations, and local government organizations must be prepared with emergency management plans.
It is crucial to have updated statistical data and socioeconomic information to effectively assist vulnerable populations during emergencies. A comprehensive national census is necessary to obtain such data.
Attendees of today's World Population Day event are encouraged to participate in the upcoming 2024 national census as a national duty. This is why let me conclude with the theme of the 2024 population and household census: “A nationwide census, let us all participate”.
Union Minister for Immigration and Population U Myint Kyaing highlighted the importance of population data for Myanmar's development.
Following his speech, a video clip on the 2024 World Population Day theme "Helping vulnerable populations in emergencies" was shown.
The event concluded with Vice-Senior General Soe Win taking commemorative photos with the attendees and touring the World Population Day 2024 exhibition.
