ISLAMABAD: India has dethroned China as the world’s most populous country, according to the latest figures from the United Nations Population Division.
With an estimated population of more than 1.425bn people, India now officially holds the record for the highest population. Surprisingly, India achieved this feat despite being almost three times smaller than China in terms of land area. China had been holding the population record since the 1950s and reached a peak of 1.426bn inhabitants in 2022 before witnessing a decline.
The UN data indicates that India’s population growth rate has slowed down, but still remains higher than China’s. However, both India and China have recorded declines in their fertility rates. In 2023, India’s population growth rate stands at 0.61 percent, marking the smallest increase since 1960. This is significantly lower than the population growth rates of other countries such as Morocco, Bangladesh and Colombia.
Despite the slowdown, India continues to register a considerable number of women entering their reproductive years, contributing to its population growth. In fact, India is the largest contributor to the global working-age population growth, accounting for 23 percent of the growth between 2020 and 2025.
In terms of demographics, India has a significant percentage of its population in various age groups. According to the UN Population Fund report, 25 percent of India’s population comprises children aged 0-14, while 68 percent fall within the 15-64 age category. In contrast, China has a lower percentage of its population in the younger age groups.
India’s newfound status as the world’s most populous country highlights the complex challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The government will have to address issues such as infrastructure, healthcare and resource management to ensure sustainable development and a high quality of life for its growing population.
In summary, India’s population has surpassed China, making it the most populous country in the world. Despite its smaller land area, India’s population growth rate, although slowing, remains higher than that of China. This shift in population dynamics brings both opportunities and challenges for India as it navigates the path towards sustainable development.
