United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Context: According to UNFPA’s 2025 report, India’s population has reached 146.39 crore, with the fertility rate falling below replacement level (2.1) to 1.9, and is expected to peak at 170 crore before beginning to decline in about 40 years.
Important Pointers:
Establishment: Created in 1968 as an international development agency focusing on population and sexual and reproductive health.
Mission: To ensure every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
Renaming: Officially renamed as the United Nations Population Fund in 1987, but retained the abbreviation UNFPA (originally United Nations Fund for Population Activities).
Headquarters: Located in New York, United States.
Statistical Role: Not directly responsible for primary data collection, but supports countries with technical and financial aid for censuses and surveys.
Core Focus Areas:
Reproductive health (family planning, safe motherhood, STDs prevention/treatment)
Population challenges in developed and developing countries
Women's status issues, including gender gap in education
Assistance Modality: Provides support only upon request from national governments.