From 1800 to 1930. our planet grew from 1 to 2 billion people. Today. we are up to 5 to 6 billion people. with 1 million born every 96 hours. At this rate. we will have quadrupled our population by the end of this century. Overpopulation hampers economic development. harms world health standards. threatens food security. It stresses the environment. it harms the status of women. and it often forces dangerous migration and refugee patterns. These are among the most serious threats in the 21st century. We must be able to use the achievements of the 20th century. namely. family planning. to counter them.