Worldwide, 27th June 2007 –United Nations Population (UNFPA) has today launched The State of the World Population Report 2007, titled Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth.

A youth supplement, Growing up Urban, was also released and features incredible stories of young people in cities around the world. It presents the challenges of urbanization through the eyes of young people.

In 2008, for the first time in history, more than half of the world’s people will be living in towns and cities. That is half of all people on Earth. And by 2030, urban population is expected to swell to almost 5 billion–- which will be 60 per cent of world population.

In Malawi, Ms. Esperance Fundira delivered a speech highlighting global concerns including poverty, crime, lack of clean water and sanitation, and expansion of slums associated with urbanisation.

John Chome, UN Habitat Programme Manager in Malawi, made a presentation on the impact of urbanization in Malawi.

For the press pack and access the document, visit www.unfpa.org/swp.

For queries on Malawi related issues contact click here.