Author Zhanna Nurmaganbetova | Qazinform.com

Maslikhat elections

editor-translator

Zhanna Nurmaganbetova

Zhanna has been working at Kazinform News Agency since 2005.

News

Mongolia to export 2,000 tons of horse meat and halal-processed mutton to Uzbekistan

Mongolia to export 2,000 tons of horse meat and halal-processed mutton to Uzbekistan

12:32, 27 June 2025

Baiterek Holding to infuse 8 trillion tenge in Kazakhstan’s economic development, Olzhas Bektenov

Baiterek Holding to infuse 8 trillion tenge in Kazakhstan’s economic development, Olzhas Bektenov

12:25, 27 June 2025

Kazakhstan to modernize 1,000 rural and small city schools

Kazakhstan to modernize 1,000 rural and small schools in cities

12:15, 27 June 2025

Kazakh PM

Kazakhstan set to cut budget deficit to 1.4% by 2028, PM

11:42, 27 June 2025

Uzbekistan and France expand cooperation

Hi-Tech Technology & Digitalization

Uzbekistan and France expand digitalization cooperation

11:16, 27 June 2025

NPP

NPP construction: Kazakhstan and Russia to sign intergovernmental agreement by year-end

10:54, 27 June 2025

Kyrgyzstan attracts Malaysian investors to energy sector

Kyrgyzstan attracts Malaysian investors to energy sector

10:46, 27 June 2025

Karaganda Zoo announces new arrivals

Karaganda Zoo announces new arrivals

10:11, 27 June 2025

Kazakh Government provides 1 bln tenge to fight floods in Kostanay region

Kazakh Government provides 1 bln tenge to fight floods in Kostanay region

09:35, 27 June 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump shows an executive order on "reciprocal tariffs" at the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on April 2, 2025. Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" and higher rates on certain trading partners.

Trump could extend 90-day tariff pause in July, White House says

09:14, 27 June 2025

A poster for "Squid Game" Season 3 is seen in this image provided by Netflix.

'Squid Game' finale arrives Friday, brace for despair

08:54, 27 June 2025

Storms wreak havoc in Paris, leave 2 dead, dozens injured across France

Storms wreak havoc in Paris, leave 2 dead, dozens injured across France

08:35, 27 June 2025

Heavy rains and hail to batter Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan to brace for rains on June 27

07:33, 27 June 2025

Kyrgyzstan to launch Almaty-Issyk Kul flights

Kyrgyzstan to launch Almaty-Issyk Kul flights

18:30, 26 June 2025

Culture Tour of Beijing Opera debuts in Almaty

Culture Tour of Beijing Opera debuts in Almaty

17:44, 26 June 2025

Global population growth to continue through 2050 despite falling fertility rates: UNFPA UNFPA representative Mariam Khan urges governments to shift focus from growth to people's real-life choices, support systems Beyza Binnur Donmez | 26.06.2025 - Update : 26.06.2025 INTERVIEW - Global population growth to continue through 2050 despite falling fertility rates: UNFPA GENEVA The global population may be growing more slowly than before, but it’s still growing. In fact, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that by 2050, the world population will be 20%-30% larger than it was in 2020 -- nearing 10 billion people -- and will only begin to level off around 2100. But beneath these numbers lies a more complex and urgent story. "Population is impacted by three factors: fertility, mortality and migration," UNFPA representative Mariam Khan told Anadolu. "And these three are constantly in flux." While people across the globe are living longer, fertility rates are falling. According to UNFPA, average global fertility has dropped from five children per woman in the 1950s to just 2.3 today. By 2050, it is projected to reach 2.1 -- the so-called “replacement level.” "Two-thirds of the world now lives in low-fertility contexts," Khan said. "People are living longer, but many are choosing to have fewer children." Declining fertility, rising concerns Despite the slowdown, many governments remain locked in outdated frameworks focused solely on growth. Khan warned that this model is no longer sustainable or reflective of how people live and decide today. "We're moving into a world where population is growing more slowly, is going to be older, and might need to, also for purposes of the environment, consume less," she said. "It’s not about whether the number is high or low. It's about adapting to these changes.” In many countries, there is now a consistent gap between how many children people would like to have and how many they actually do. "Almost in every country," the number of children that couples actually have is lower than they desire to have, Khan noted, explaining that such a gap is due to economic and social barriers. From high housing and education costs to unequal care responsibilities and limited access to reproductive health services, many factors prevent people from reaching their desired family size. Unpaid care work, still largely done by women, further limits options. "Care work consumes a lot of time, mental space, and actual time," said Khan. "Sharing in that frees up both the man and the woman to have opportunities...including the number of children they want to have." Why short-term fixes don't work Some governments have turned to cash bonuses and tax breaks to raise fertility rates. But according to UNFPA, these policies often fall short -- especially if they fail to address the deeper, structural issues. "History tells us that attempts to reverse fertility decline through short-term incentives or coercive measures often fail and can even backfire," said Khan. "They narrowly focus on influencing women to have more children, without addressing deeper structural issues." Instead, UNFPA advocates for long-term, women- and family-friendly policies that address economic insecurity, ensure reproductive rights and promote gender equality. "The goal is to support individuals who wish to have children," Khan emphasized. Countries that have made real progress, she said, have taken an inclusive approach. That includes workplace equality, accessible childcare, flexible work models and shared parental leave -- all of which make it easier for families to thrive. "Policies that promote gender equality, protect reproductive rights and provide sustainable economic and social support are the keys to reaching desired fertility and building a resilient society," she said. Adapting to an aging population As fertility declines and populations age, many countries will soon face new social and economic challenges. Khan said this is not a reason for panic, but for preparation. The working-age population will start to decrease while the share of elderly people in the population continues to increase, she explained, and said: "This leads to dependency ratios that place a bigger burden on those working." In practical terms, that means reforming pension systems, strengthening health care infrastructure and reconsidering retirement policies. “Aging populations don’t signal collapse," she said. "They require adjustment -- and vision." Regarding what global cooperation can offer, she said the challenges are not unique to any one country -- and neither are the solutions. Khan emphasized the importance of international cooperation, knowledge sharing and evidence-based policy development. "By learning from global examples—from Japan and South Korea to Sweden and France—all countries can shape their own path," she said. "The core question isn’t whether there are too many or too few people but whether everyone has the equal rights and opportunities to shape their own lives with dignity."

Global population growth to continue through 2050 despite falling fertility rates: UNFPA

16:50, 26 June 2025

Kazakhstan sends 4.8 bln cu m of water for irrigation needs

Kazakhstan sends 4.8 bln cu m of water for irrigation

16:31, 26 June 2025

gold rates

Around the World

Mongolia to launch Gold-3 campaign nationwide

15:56, 26 June 2025

China Southern Airlines to bridge Guangzhou and Almaty

China Southern Airlines to bridge Guangzhou and Almaty

15:22, 26 June 2025

Shavkat Mirziyoyev

President of Uzbekistan to pay a working visit to Belarus

14:37, 26 June 2025