World Population Day 2026: Discoveries from Discover
Published in Healthcare & Nursing, Astronomy, and Social Sciences
On 11 July, the global community marked World Population Day. This year's theme is “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people - today and for the future”. Young people play a critical role in shaping societies, driving innovation, and advancing sustainable development. This year's theme highlights the importance of understanding the opportunities and challenges that influence their decisions, well-being and future aspirations.
To mark the occasion, we are showcasing a selection of recent research published in Discover series that explores both population dynamics and the experiences, well-being and aspirations of young people around the world.
Population, Sustainability and Development
As population trends continue to shape environmental, economic and social systems, these studies provide valuable insights into the relationships between population growth, infrastructure and sustainability:
- Synergistic evolution of transport infrastructure ecology and population dynamics in Guangdong Province (Discover Sustainability)
- Correlation analysis of population, energy consumption and overshoot day global trends (Discover Sustainability)
- Energy transition in Sub-Saharan Africa and reduction of local sources of carbon emissions in a context of population growth (Discover Global Society)
Young People: Health, Wellbeing and Future Aspirations
Young people are central to building resilient and sustainable societies. The following publications explore issues affecting youth health, wellbeing, employment, mental health and future opportunities:
Discover Cities
Discover Global Society
Discover Psychology
Discover Public Health
Explore Related Topical Collections
We also invite you to explore two ongoing Topical Collections that closely align with this year's World Population Day theme:
Geospatial Intelligence for Global Society: Population Modelling, Spatial Demography, Epidemiology & Social Change (Discover Global Society)
What Hurts. What Helps. What Works. Young People’s Mental Health and Suicidality (Discover Psychology)
As we mark World Population Day 2026, we encourage you to explore these articles and collections, and to help amplify research that advances the understanding of population challenges and opportunities for young people around the world.
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Discover Global Society
This is an interdisciplinary, international journal that welcomes research on the complexities of modern global society, its development and its challenges.
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Discover Psychology
This is an international, open access journal that publishes research in behavioral sciences and related fields, including health, environment, neuroscience, business, economics, ergonomics, linguistics, and education.
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Discover Public Health
This is an open access journal publishing research from all fields relevant to public health.
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Discover Sustainability
A multi-disciplinary, open access, community-focussed journal publishing results from across all fields relevant to sustainability research whilst supporting policy developments that address all 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Promoting Healthy Diets and Food Security across Global Public Health Systems
The interconnection between healthy diets and food security is a critical concern for global public health systems, particularly in the context of escalating population growth, climate change, and socioeconomic disparities. Proper nutrition is essential for overall health and well-being; however, millions worldwide face malnutrition in its various forms, including undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity. Food security encompasses not only the availability of food but also its accessibility, utilization, and stability. Addressing these complex challenges is vital for achieving sustainable development goals and improving health outcomes across diverse populations.
This Collection is motivated by the urgent need to strengthen the integration of health policy with healthy diet promotion and food security within public health frameworks. As nations work to build resilient health systems, innovative strategies that promote healthy eating and ensure food security are essential. This Collection aims to gather interdisciplinary insights and research that address these pressing issues, fostering collaboration among public health experts, nutritionists, policymakers, and community stakeholders.
The purpose of this Collection is to provide a platform for sharing research findings and practical solutions that enhance healthy diets and food security through effective health policies. We welcome contributions that explore policy interventions, community-based initiatives, and innovative programs focused on promoting nutrition education and improving food access. By highlighting diverse perspectives and successful models, this Collection seeks to inform future public health strategies and contribute to the development of effective, equitable food systems worldwide.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Evidence-based community interventions to enhance food security
- The influence of health policy on food systems and public health outcomes
- Global case studies demonstrating effective food access and health promotion
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2 and SDG 3.
Keywords: healthy diets; food security; nutrition promotion; malnutrition; public health; health policy; food access and availability
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Dec 05, 2026
The Economics of Longevity: Health Expenditure and Societal Implications for Public Health Systems
The relationship between health investment and life expectancy has long been a focal point in public health research and policy. As nations grapple with rising healthcare costs and varying health outcomes, understanding how financial allocations influence population health becomes increasingly critical. Numerous studies have illustrated that increased spending on health services often correlates with improvements in life expectancy; however, the complexities of this relationship are not fully understood. Factors such as socioeconomic status, healthcare accessibility, and the efficiency of health systems play significant roles in determining how investments translate into health outcomes.
At the national level, health investments primarily encompass government expenditure on healthcare systems, public health initiatives, and health infrastructure. Nations that allocate substantial resources toward healthcare often experience better health outcomes and increased life expectancy among their populations. For instance, countries with robust healthcare funding tend to provide more comprehensive services, including preventive care, chronic disease management, and health promotion programs, all of which contribute to enhanced population health. However, it is crucial to consider how these investments are distributed across different segments of the population. Inequities in health spending can exacerbate existing disparities, leading to significant differences in life expectancy among various demographic groups. Effective health investment strategies must address these disparities to ensure that improvements in life expectancy are equitable and inclusive.
The motivation for this Collection arises from the urgent need to bridge the gap between health expenditures and tangible improvements in life expectancy. Recent global health crises and ongoing disparities in health outcomes across different populations have underscored the necessity for a deeper exploration of how resource allocation affects health dynamics. This Collection seeks to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners to discuss empirical evidence, theoretical frameworks, and innovative approaches to understanding these critical interactions. By fostering dialogue around effective health investment strategies, we aim to contribute to the development of more equitable and efficient health systems worldwide.
The purpose of this Collection is to gather comprehensive research that elucidates the dynamics between health investment and life expectancy across diverse contexts. We welcome contributions that analyze historical trends, comparative studies, and policy evaluations, as well as those that explore the implications of financial investments on health equity. By highlighting interdisciplinary perspectives and fostering collaboration, this Collection aspires to advance the discourse on optimizing health investments for improved population health outcomes.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Economic evaluations of health interventions
- Policy impacts on health spending and life expectancy
- Health equity and investment disparities
- Longitudinal studies on health expenditures and population health
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3.
Keywords: health expenditure; healthcare economics; life expectancy; economic evaluation; population health; health investment; health policy
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Sep 04, 2026
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