With over 1.4 billion people calling it home, India's population story is a complex tapestry of rapid growth, a surprising slowdown, and a profound demographic shift that is reshaping the nation.
Key Takeaways
- India's total population as of July 1, 2023, stands at 1,428,627,663 people according to United Nations estimates
- India's population growth rate in 2023 was 0.88%, down from 0.97% in 2022
- From 2011 to 2021, India's population increased by 136 million people, reaching approximately 1,366 million by 2021 estimates
- Percentage of population under 15 years in India is 25.31% as of 2023
- India's median age rose to 28.8 years in 2023 from 25.1 in 2011
- Youth population (15-24 years) constitutes 18.2% or about 260 million in 2021
- India's overall sex ratio in 2011 census was 943 females per 1000 males
- Child sex ratio (0-6 years) improved to 914 girls per 1000 boys in 2021 estimates from 919 in 2011
- Overall sex ratio projected to reach 952 by 2036
- Urban population in India reached 36.38% or 461 million in 2011 census
- Rural population constituted 68.84% or 833 million in 2011
- Urbanization rate increased from 27.81% in 2001 to 31.16% in 2011
- India's population density is 473 people per square kilometer as of 2023
- Uttar Pradesh has highest population 199.8 million with density 828/km² in 2011
- Bihar density highest at 1,106 people per km² in 2011 census
India's population is slowing growth while becoming more urban and older in age structure.
Age Distribution and Dependency Ratios
- Percentage of population under 15 years in India is 25.31% as of 2023
- India's median age rose to 28.8 years in 2023 from 25.1 in 2011
- Youth population (15-24 years) constitutes 18.2% or about 260 million in 2021
- Child population (0-6 years) was 158.8 million in 2011 census, 13.12% of total
- Elderly population (60+ years) reached 10.1% or 138 million in 2021 estimates
- Dependency ratio total is 47.7% in 2023, with child dependency 39.1%
- Population aged 0-14 years was 25.7% in 2011, down from 35.3% in 2001
- Working-age population (15-64) is 67.8% or 959 million in 2023
- Old-age dependency ratio is 8.6% in 2023, projected to 20.1% by 2050
- Population 65+ years is 6.8% or 97 million in 2023
- Age group 25-54 years comprises 41.6% of population in 2021
- Child population share declined to 11.8% (0-6) by 2021 estimates
- Demographic dividend potential with 62% in 15-59 age group in 2011
- Population 15-64 years projected to peak at 69% by 2036
- Infant population (under 1 year) around 25 million annually based on births
- Age structure 0-4 years: 9.5%, 5-9: 8.9% in 2023 UN data
- Youth bulge with 15-29 years at 28% or 380 million in 2021
- Total dependency ratio was 49.7 in 2020
- Population 10-19 years: 230 million, key adolescent group in 2023
- Elderly women 60+ outnumber men, 5.1% vs 4.9% in 2011
- Projected median age 35.2 by 2030
- School-age population 6-14 years about 21% or 250 million
- 80+ years population 1.3% or 18 million in 2023
- Child dependency ratio 39.1% in 2023
- Working age share increased from 52.9% in 1991 to 65.2% in 2011
- Population aged 30-49 years: 28.5% in 2021 estimates
- Adolescent fertility impacts age structure at 16.3 births per 1000 women 15-19
Age Distribution and Dependency Ratios Interpretation
India, armed with over a quarter of its citizens under 15 and a median age of 28, is not so much counting down to a demographic dividend as it is setting a starting pistol for a race to educate, employ, and empower its massive youth before its greying elders eventually demand the baton.
Population Density and Geographic Distribution
- India's population density is 473 people per square kilometer as of 2023
- Uttar Pradesh has highest population 199.8 million with density 828/km² in 2011
- Bihar density highest at 1,106 people per km² in 2011 census
- Delhi union territory density 11,297/km², highest in India 2011
- Arunachal Pradesh lowest density 17/km² with 1.38 million pop
- Maharashtra population 112.4 million, density 365/km² in 2011
- West Bengal density 1,028/km², second highest state 2011
- National average density rose from 382 in 2011 to 473 in 2023
- Kerala density 860/km² with 33.4 million pop in 2011
- Rajasthan lowest state density 200/km², pop 68.5 million 2011
- Tamil Nadu pop 72.1 million, density 555/km² 2011
- Madhya Pradesh density 236/km², pop 72.6 million 2011
- Northeast India average density 150/km², low due to hills
- Mumbai density over 20,000/km² in city proper 2011
- Gujarat pop 60.4 million, density 308/km² 2011
- Odisha density 270/km², pop 41.9 million 2011
- Ganga plains density over 800/km² average
- Chandigarh UT density 9,258/km² 2011
- Andhra Pradesh (undivided) density 308/km² 2011
- Himachal Pradesh density 123/km², pop 6.9 million 2011
- Jharkhand density 414/km², pop 33 million 2011
- Population concentration 50% in 8 states: UP, MH, BI, WB, etc.
- Thane district highest rural density 2,556/km² 2011
- Mizoram density 52/km², lowest state 2011
- Karnataka pop 61 million, density 319/km² 2011
- Uttarakhand density 189/km², pop 10.1 million 2011
Population Density and Geographic Distribution Interpretation
From the serene solitude of Arunachal Pradesh's 17 souls per square kilometer to the cheek-by-jowl jostle of Delhi's 11,297, India's demographic portrait is a masterclass in extremes, where a few densely-packed states shoulder the colossal weight of the national average while vast stretches breathe easy.
Sex Ratio and Gender Demographics
- India's overall sex ratio in 2011 census was 943 females per 1000 males
- Child sex ratio (0-6 years) improved to 914 girls per 1000 boys in 2021 estimates from 919 in 2011
- Overall sex ratio projected to reach 952 by 2036
- Sex ratio at birth was 908 females per 1000 males in 2020 NFHS-5
- Female population constitutes 48.4% or 692 million in 2023
- Sex ratio in urban areas was 926 in 2011 census, lower than rural 949
- Male population outnumbered females by 35 million in 2011
- Sex ratio for elderly 60+ was 1031 females per 1000 males in 2011
- National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) shows sex ratio 1020 overall
- Sex ratio in states like Kerala is 1085, highest in 2011
- Haryana has lowest sex ratio of 879 females per 1000 males in 2011
- Female-headed households 13.3% in rural areas per 2011 census
- Sex ratio at birth improved from 918 in NFHS-4 to 929 in NFHS-5
- Projected female population 2031: 709 million
- Gender gap in child mortality affects sex ratio, IMR lower for girls
- Sex ratio 15-49 years working age was 944 in 2011
- Female literacy impacts sex ratio dynamics, 64.6% vs 82.1% male in 2011
- Sex ratio in Jammu & Kashmir was 889 in 2011
- Overall sex ratio rose from 927 in 2001 to 943 in 2011
- Urban female sex ratio 926, rural 949 in 2011 census data
- Sex ratio for SC/ST populations lower at 930 and 943 respectively in 2011
- Female population growth rate higher at 18.12% vs 17.19% male 2001-2011
- Sex ratio in Delhi urban was 868, lowest urban in 2011
- Projected sex ratio 952 females per 1000 males by 2031
- Gender imbalance in northern states like Punjab 895 in 2011
- Female migrants for marriage affect sex ratio patterns, 46% female migration
- Sex ratio 0-4 years 918 in 2021 SRS estimates
Sex Ratio and Gender Demographics Interpretation
The story of India's population is a stubbornly uneven ledger: though we're slowly correcting the books, with female life expectancy and empowerment tipping the scales in later years, the deeply ingrained preference for sons continues to write a deficit of young girls into our national account.
Total Population and Growth Rates
- India's total population as of July 1, 2023, stands at 1,428,627,663 people according to United Nations estimates
- India's population growth rate in 2023 was 0.88%, down from 0.97% in 2022
- From 2011 to 2021, India's population increased by 136 million people, reaching approximately 1,366 million by 2021 estimates
- India's population in 1951 was 361,088,090 according to the first post-independence census
- The decadal growth rate of India's population from 2001 to 2011 was 17.64%
- India's projected population for 2030 is 1,515,000,000 based on medium variant projections
- In 2022, India's population density reached 473 people per square kilometer
- India's population doubled from 548 million in 1971 to 1,028 million in 2001
- The annual population growth rate averaged 2.15% between 1981 and 1991
- India's population crossed 1 billion in 2000, estimated at 1,006,000,000
- Projected peak population of India is expected around 2064 at 1,709,000,000
- From 1961 to 1971, India's population grew by 24.80% decennially
- India's 2024 population estimate is 1,441,719,852 with a growth rate of 0.85%
- Population growth rate declined to 1.58% annually during 2001-2011
- India's population in 1901 was 238,830,000 per British India census adjusted for modern boundaries
- By 2050, India's population is projected to reach 1,668,000,000 under UN medium scenario
- Decadal growth from 1991-2001 was 21.54% for India's population
- India's population as percentage of world population in 2023 is 17.76%
- From 1941 to 1951, growth rate was 13.31% despite partition effects
- India's crude birth rate contributing to growth was 17.7 per 1000 in 2021
- Population in 1981 census was 683,810,051
- Expected population decline post-2060 at -0.1% annually
- Growth rate from 2011-2021 estimated at 11.9%
- India's population in 1971 was 548,102,267
- UN estimates 2100 population at 1,091,000,000 after peaking
- Decadal growth 21.34% from 1981-1991
- 2020 population was 1,396,387,127 with 0.99% growth
- Population share growth from 16% to 18% of world 2000-2023
- 1961 census population 439,234,771
- Fertility rate drop to 2.0 in 2023 aiding slower growth
Total Population and Growth Rates Interpretation
India's demographic march from 361 million to a projected peak of 1.7 billion is a testament to its remarkable human energy, now thoughtfully decelerating as it shoulders nearly one-fifth of humanity with increasing density and, thankfully, decreasing urgency.
Urban vs Rural Population
- Urban population in India reached 36.38% or 461 million in 2011 census
- Rural population constituted 68.84% or 833 million in 2011
- Urbanization rate increased from 27.81% in 2001 to 31.16% in 2011
- Projected urban population 40.76% or 640 million by 2030
- Slum population in urban areas 65 million or 17.4% of urban in 2011
- Rural to urban migration added 88 million urban dwellers 2001-2011
- Urban growth rate 2.35% annually vs rural 0.74% 2001-2011
- Mega cities population over 10 million: 53 million in 2011
- Projected 50% urban by 2050, 875 million urbanites
- Rural population decline rate -0.7% projected post-2030
- Urban households 81 million vs rural 246 million in 2011
- Million-plus urban agglomerations 377 million or 82% urban pop in 2011
- Rural female population 68.8% of females in 2011
- Urban decadal growth 31.8% vs rural 12.2% 2001-2011
- Projected rural population 767 million by 2030
- Census towns increased from 1,362 to 3,892 between 2001-2011
- Urban poor estimated 80 million in 2021
- Rural electrification but population density low 382/km2 rural
- Urban sex ratio lower at 926 vs rural 949 in 2011
- Statutory towns 4,041 with 264 million pop in 2011
- Rural literacy higher female gap closure but urban absolute higher
- Projected urban share 39% in 2025
- Out-migrated rural pop impacts 20 million annually
- Urban population density 9,961 per sq km vs rural 347 in 2023 est
Urban vs Rural Population Interpretation
India’s great urban migration marches on like a determined, if slightly overwhelmed, parade, swelling cities to bursting as 65 million slum dwellers and 88 million new arrivals squeeze into an area 30 times denser than the countryside, while villages slowly empty, their homes lit but less full.
Sources & References
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