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Ensuring Rights and Choices amid Demographic Change

Ensuring Rights and Choices amid Demographic Change

Highlights of the Regional Report on ICPD30

Introduction

The UN 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo set a bold new vision of the relationships between population, development, and individual rights and well-being. It recognized that population was not about numbers, but about people, and that individual dignity and human rights, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, are the basis for individual well-being and sustainable development.

Three decades later, as the international community has embarked on the review of the progress made towards the goals agreed in Cairo, the European region has profoundly changed. The report on ICPD implementation in the broader European region evaluates achievements and setbacks and highlights how recent crises have impacted longer-term trends in population and development. The report identifies areas where acceleration of efforts is required to realize individual and societal potential and highlights policy responses to both longstanding and emerging issues. It provides action-oriented recommendations towards advancing progress towards the ICPD goals in the context of evolving demographic, social, and economic realities in the broader European region.

The review indicates overall improvements in outcomes in most priority areas, but progress has continued to be uneven across the region and within countries. Recent setbacks in areas related to education and human capital, health, and the protection of vulnerable groups are concerning. Multiple and overlapping forms of inequality and discrimination continue to impede individuals from realizing their full potential, even in countries where most progress has been recorded. Evidence reflecting the impacts of the multiple crises faced by the region is not yet available for all areas and indicators, but available data point to exacerbated inequalities and recent disruptions to progress in several ICPD areas.

This report was prepared to inform the UNECE Regional Conference ‘Population and Development: Ensuring Rights and Choices’ on 19-20 October 2023 in Geneva. It will also inform the global ICPD30 review at the 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development in 2024.

This interactive version highlights key trends and findings from the regional ICPD30 report.

Changing demographic realities

Β© UNFPA Serbia/Jerome Sessini

The UNECE region remains at the forefront of the global demographic transition towards lower fertility rates and ageing populations. The region’s demographic trends have profound impacts on countries’ socio-economic trajectories, and how countries respond to the challenges – and opportunities – that come with demographic change determines to a significant extent their ability to thrive in the future. 

Read more in the full report about trends in

  • population numbers
  • fertility rates 
  • population ageing
  • migration
  • socio-economic development

Population dynamics and sustainable development

Β© UNFPA Bosnia and Herzegovina/Amer Kapetanovic

Changing demographic dynamics in the region call for new and creative ways to fulfil individual potential and strengthen societies’ demographic resilience. For countries to be able to thrive amid demographic change it is key that they invest in human capital, remove barriers preventing people from fulfilling their potential, and make societies more inclusive, while staying attuned to what people themselves say they want and need to flourish.

Read more in the full report about trends in:

  • education and human capital development
  • health and well-being across the life course
  • migration

Stories on population issues

Families, sexual and reproductive health over the life course

Β© UNFPA Armenia/Jody Hilton

Progress in securing sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights across the region has been mixed. Trends observed across the region underscore the need to change unfavourable societal environments, investing in programmes that fight gender inequality and harmful gender norms, reduce violence against women and girls, and empower women and girls to control their own sexual lives, access sexual and reproductive health care, and access respectful maternity care. These should be supported by strengthened efforts to promote SRH education and information, quality service delivery, and accessibility especially by those marginalized by societies.

Read more in the full report about trends in:

  • universal health coverage
  • maternal health
  • adolescent pregnancy
  • contraceptive prevalence
  • abortion
  • HIV
  • cervical cancer

Stories on Sexual & Reproductive Health

Inequalities, social inclusion and rights

© UNFPA Türkiye

Advancing gender equality requires responses in the economic, social and political spheres as well as a transformation of gender and social norms. Across UNECE countries there has been progress over the last decades, but the region is far from on track to achieve gender equality by 2030. The social and economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has derailed, halted and in some cases reversed progress in many areas, including gender-based violence, employment, and the gender division of unpaid care, and an acceleration of efforts is required to avoid long-lasting consequences for gender equality across the region.

Read more in the full report about trends in

  • women’s participation in decision-making and leadership positions
  • gender pay gaps
  • gender-based violence
  • discrimination, poverty and social exclusion

Stories on inequalities, social inclusion and rights

Download the Report