India’s population is now 1,428,627,663 people as of July 1, 2023, and its age structure is shifting fast. Only 25.31% of people are under 15 while the median age has climbed to 28.8 years, reshaping the balance between school years, working age, and old age. Put next to that a dependency ratio of 47.7% and a youth bulge still large at 28% for ages 15 to 29, and you get a country where demographic pressure and opportunity are changing at the same time.
Key Takeaways
- 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 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 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
- 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
- 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 is aging, with a youth heavy structure now shifting toward fewer children and more working age.
Related reading
01 · Category
Age Distribution and Dependency Ratios27 stats
01
Percentage of population under 15 years in India is 25.31% as of 2023
02
India's median age rose to 28.8 years in 2023 from 25.1 in 2011
03
Youth population (15-24 years) constitutes 18.2% or about 260 million in 2021
04
Child population (0-6 years) was 158.8 million in 2011 census, 13.12% of total
05
Elderly population (60+ years) reached 10.1% or 138 million in 2021 estimates
06
Dependency ratio total is 47.7% in 2023, with child dependency 39.1%
07
Population aged 0-14 years was 25.7% in 2011, down from 35.3% in 2001
08
Working-age population (15-64) is 67.8% or 959 million in 2023
09
Old-age dependency ratio is 8.6% in 2023, projected to 20.1% by 2050
10
Population 65+ years is 6.8% or 97 million in 2023
11
Age group 25-54 years comprises 41.6% of population in 2021
12
Child population share declined to 11.8% (0-6) by 2021 estimates
13
Demographic dividend potential with 62% in 15-59 age group in 2011
14
Population 15-64 years projected to peak at 69% by 2036
15
Infant population (under 1 year) around 25 million annually based on births
16
Age structure 0-4 years: 9.5%, 5-9: 8.9% in 2023 UN data
17
Youth bulge with 15-29 years at 28% or 380 million in 2021
18
Total dependency ratio was 49.7 in 2020
19
Population 10-19 years: 230 million, key adolescent group in 2023
20
Elderly women 60+ outnumber men, 5.1% vs 4.9% in 2011
21
Projected median age 35.2 by 2030
22
School-age population 6-14 years about 21% or 250 million
23
80+ years population 1.3% or 18 million in 2023
24
Child dependency ratio 39.1% in 2023
25
Working age share increased from 52.9% in 1991 to 65.2% in 2011
26
Population aged 30-49 years: 28.5% in 2021 estimates
27
Adolescent fertility impacts age structure at 16.3 births per 1000 women 15-19
Interpretation
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.
02 · Category
Population Density and Geographic Distribution26 stats
01
India's population density is 473 people per square kilometer as of 2023
02
Uttar Pradesh has highest population 199.8 million with density 828/km² in 2011
03
Bihar density highest at 1,106 people per km² in 2011 census
04
Delhi union territory density 11,297/km², highest in India 2011
05
Arunachal Pradesh lowest density 17/km² with 1.38 million pop
06
Maharashtra population 112.4 million, density 365/km² in 2011
07
West Bengal density 1,028/km², second highest state 2011
08
National average density rose from 382 in 2011 to 473 in 2023
09
Kerala density 860/km² with 33.4 million pop in 2011
10
Rajasthan lowest state density 200/km², pop 68.5 million 2011
11
Tamil Nadu pop 72.1 million, density 555/km² 2011
12
Madhya Pradesh density 236/km², pop 72.6 million 2011
13
Northeast India average density 150/km², low due to hills
14
Mumbai density over 20,000/km² in city proper 2011
15
Gujarat pop 60.4 million, density 308/km² 2011
16
Odisha density 270/km², pop 41.9 million 2011
17
Ganga plains density over 800/km² average
18
Chandigarh UT density 9,258/km² 2011
19
Andhra Pradesh (undivided) density 308/km² 2011
20
Himachal Pradesh density 123/km², pop 6.9 million 2011
21
Jharkhand density 414/km², pop 33 million 2011
22
Population concentration 50% in 8 states: UP, MH, BI, WB, etc.
23
Thane district highest rural density 2,556/km² 2011
24
Mizoram density 52/km², lowest state 2011
25
Karnataka pop 61 million, density 319/km² 2011
26
Uttarakhand density 189/km², pop 10.1 million 2011
Interpretation
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.
03 · Category
Sex Ratio and Gender Demographics27 stats
01
India's overall sex ratio in 2011 census was 943 females per 1000 males
02
Child sex ratio (0-6 years) improved to 914 girls per 1000 boys in 2021 estimates from 919 in 2011
03
Overall sex ratio projected to reach 952 by 2036
04
Sex ratio at birth was 908 females per 1000 males in 2020 NFHS-5
05
Female population constitutes 48.4% or 692 million in 2023
06
Sex ratio in urban areas was 926 in 2011 census, lower than rural 949
07
Male population outnumbered females by 35 million in 2011
08
Sex ratio for elderly 60+ was 1031 females per 1000 males in 2011
09
National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) shows sex ratio 1020 overall
10
Sex ratio in states like Kerala is 1085, highest in 2011
11
Haryana has lowest sex ratio of 879 females per 1000 males in 2011
12
Female-headed households 13.3% in rural areas per 2011 census
13
Sex ratio at birth improved from 918 in NFHS-4 to 929 in NFHS-5
14
Projected female population 2031: 709 million
15
Gender gap in child mortality affects sex ratio, IMR lower for girls
16
Sex ratio 15-49 years working age was 944 in 2011
17
Female literacy impacts sex ratio dynamics, 64.6% vs 82.1% male in 2011
18
Sex ratio in Jammu & Kashmir was 889 in 2011
19
Overall sex ratio rose from 927 in 2001 to 943 in 2011
20
Urban female sex ratio 926, rural 949 in 2011 census data
21
Sex ratio for SC/ST populations lower at 930 and 943 respectively in 2011
22
Female population growth rate higher at 18.12% vs 17.19% male 2001-2011
23
Sex ratio in Delhi urban was 868, lowest urban in 2011
24
Projected sex ratio 952 females per 1000 males by 2031
25
Gender imbalance in northern states like Punjab 895 in 2011
26
Female migrants for marriage affect sex ratio patterns, 46% female migration
27
Sex ratio 0-4 years 918 in 2021 SRS estimates
Interpretation
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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Total Population and Growth Rates30 stats
01
India's total population as of July 1, 2023, stands at 1,428,627,663 people according to United Nations estimates
02
India's population growth rate in 2023 was 0.88%, down from 0.97% in 2022
03
From 2011 to 2021, India's population increased by 136 million people, reaching approximately 1,366 million by 2021 estimates
04
India's population in 1951 was 361,088,090 according to the first post-independence census
05
The decadal growth rate of India's population from 2001 to 2011 was 17.64%
06
India's projected population for 2030 is 1,515,000,000 based on medium variant projections
07
In 2022, India's population density reached 473 people per square kilometer
08
India's population doubled from 548 million in 1971 to 1,028 million in 2001
09
The annual population growth rate averaged 2.15% between 1981 and 1991
10
India's population crossed 1 billion in 2000, estimated at 1,006,000,000
11
Projected peak population of India is expected around 2064 at 1,709,000,000
12
From 1961 to 1971, India's population grew by 24.80% decennially
13
India's 2024 population estimate is 1,441,719,852 with a growth rate of 0.85%
14
Population growth rate declined to 1.58% annually during 2001-2011
15
India's population in 1901 was 238,830,000 per British India census adjusted for modern boundaries
16
By 2050, India's population is projected to reach 1,668,000,000 under UN medium scenario
17
Decadal growth from 1991-2001 was 21.54% for India's population
18
India's population as percentage of world population in 2023 is 17.76%
19
From 1941 to 1951, growth rate was 13.31% despite partition effects
20
India's crude birth rate contributing to growth was 17.7 per 1000 in 2021
21
Population in 1981 census was 683,810,051
22
Expected population decline post-2060 at -0.1% annually
23
Growth rate from 2011-2021 estimated at 11.9%
24
India's population in 1971 was 548,102,267
25
UN estimates 2100 population at 1,091,000,000 after peaking
26
Decadal growth 21.34% from 1981-1991
27
2020 population was 1,396,387,127 with 0.99% growth
28
Population share growth from 16% to 18% of world 2000-2023
29
1961 census population 439,234,771
30
Fertility rate drop to 2.0 in 2023 aiding slower growth
Interpretation
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.
05 · Category
Urban vs Rural Population24 stats
01
Urban population in India reached 36.38% or 461 million in 2011 census
02
Rural population constituted 68.84% or 833 million in 2011
03
Urbanization rate increased from 27.81% in 2001 to 31.16% in 2011
04
Projected urban population 40.76% or 640 million by 2030
05
Slum population in urban areas 65 million or 17.4% of urban in 2011
06
Rural to urban migration added 88 million urban dwellers 2001-2011
07
Urban growth rate 2.35% annually vs rural 0.74% 2001-2011
08
Mega cities population over 10 million: 53 million in 2011
09
Projected 50% urban by 2050, 875 million urbanites
10
Rural population decline rate -0.7% projected post-2030
11
Urban households 81 million vs rural 246 million in 2011
12
Million-plus urban agglomerations 377 million or 82% urban pop in 2011
13
Rural female population 68.8% of females in 2011
14
Urban decadal growth 31.8% vs rural 12.2% 2001-2011
15
Projected rural population 767 million by 2030
16
Census towns increased from 1,362 to 3,892 between 2001-2011
17
Urban poor estimated 80 million in 2021
18
Rural electrification but population density low 382/km2 rural
19
Urban sex ratio lower at 926 vs rural 949 in 2011
20
Statutory towns 4,041 with 264 million pop in 2011
21
Rural literacy higher female gap closure but urban absolute higher
22
Projected urban share 39% in 2025
23
Out-migrated rural pop impacts 20 million annually
24
Urban population density 9,961 per sq km vs rural 347 in 2023 est
Interpretation
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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). India Population Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/india-population-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "India Population Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/india-population-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "India Population Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/india-population-statistics.
Sources & references
18 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level