A senior official from the UN Population Fund, or UNFPA, has highlighted the need for each country to create its own policies based on possible population changes.

Ian McFarlane, the director of the Division for Communications and Strategic Partnerships at the UNFPA, spoke to NHK on Monday in Japan about UN estimates that the global population will hit 8 billion on Tuesday.

McFarlane said, "I think firstly, that's a celebration. It means that we are living longer. It means that fewer women are dying giving birth."

He added, "Secondly, of course, it's also raising questions about how that has an impact on the world."

Referring to concerns over the issues of food shortages and widening gaps, the official said people need data to be able to accurately understand the situation. He also said they need legal frameworks to enable them to contribute equally.

He suggested each country should address issues that could arise from population changes in a responsible manner.

McFarlane said, "For example, in Niger, which has the highest fertility rate on the planet, the average is 6.9 children per woman." He also said, "Most of the women in Niger do not want to have seven on average and work for seven on average."

He said that women and girls need an environment in which they have access to reproductive health services and contraception, as well as choices for marriage and childbearing, as those things can make a major difference.