Population Explosion - The Concern of All Nations

There are over three billion people unevenly distributed over the world's habitable areas. The quality of their lives is to a major extent influenced by patterns of population growth and density. Some countries are already facing serious problems of over-population, manifesting themselves in the form of food shortages, inadequate housing, poor health and educational services and high unemployment rates. Others fear that patterns of modern living may lead to ecological deterioration and depletion of natural resources. The threat such situations may pose to the balance between the earth's peoples and the earth's ability to support them is becoming a priority matter for universal concern and action.

A child being weighed at a UNESCO post-natal care station in Ipetu-Ijesha, a Nigerian village about 200 miles north-west of Lagos, while its mother and sister watch. Population growth increases the demands on social services.