Agartala, July 11 (TIWN): Alike every years, the World population Day was observed today across the state with pomp and gaiety seeking awareness of global population issues.

To mark the World Population Day, a massive rally was conducted by the initiative of National Health Mission (NHM) and Health Department of the state. The rally was inaugurated by the Secretary of Health Department- N. Nagarju at IGM hospital by unfolding flag, this morning.

Later, the rally traversed through the different city roads and concluded at IGM hospital in Agartala. During the rally, a vast number of students from different schools, Asha workers and health workers have participated. The participants have carried separate placards on birth control and other related concerns.

According to a report released by the United Nations, the urban population of the world has grown rapidly in recent years and more than half of the population now lives in urban areas across the world.

Among 54% of the world's population lives in the cities and the number are expected to surpass 66% by 2050. The urban population has increased from 746 million in 1950 to 3.9 billion in 2014.

The UN report predicts that by 2050 India will top the chart with 404 million urban inhabitants while China will come second with 292 million city populations and Nigeria will be the third with 212 million urban dwellers. 

The UN report predicts that by 2050 India will top the chart with 404 million urban inhabitants while China will come second with 292 million city populations and Nigeria will be the third with 212 million urban dwellers.