The world observes World Population Day on July 11th each year with the goal of increasing awareness and understanding of population issues within the development plans of various countries. This commemoration originated after the global population reached five billion on July 11, 1989.

The day was established by the United Nations Development Program in 1989 and officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly through Resolution No. 45/216 in December 1990. The primary aim is to enhance consciousness about population-related matters, such as their impacts on the environment and development.

The inaugural World Population Day celebration took place on July 11, 1990, with participation from 90 UN Member Countries. Since then, governments, in partnership with UNFPA offices, businesses, and civil society organizations, have continued to mark this significant day.

Tanzania, as a UN member state, has actively observed World Population Day, with recent celebrations being held in the Manyara region in 2022 and the Southern Region - Unguja (Zanzibar) in 2023. During the Manyara event, key issues highlighted included the urgency to tackle gender-based violence and offer entrepreneurial training for youth.

In Zanzibar, the focus was on enhancing healthcare services, especially for women. In 2024, the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with other stakeholders, commemorated World Population Day in the Geita region to spotlight population issues within the country. The Guest of Honor for this year’s commemoration was the Deputy Minister of State in the President’s Office (Planning and Investment), Hon. Stanslaus Nyongo.