How India is now the most populous but a gradually ageing nation
India TodayIndia has surpassed China to become the world’s most populous nation with 1.43 billion people, according to the latest United Nations data. And by 2100, the share of 65+ population will be 30 per cent as against the current 7 per cent. According to the ‘Youth in India 2022’ Report, released in June 2022 by the ministry of statistics and programme implementation, India’s under-30 population in 2021 dropped to 53 per cent from 64 per cent in 1991. By 2036, the share of the under-30 population was likely to further dip to 43 per cent while the above-30 population would account for 57 per cent of the total population. India’s share in world population Year Share 1960 14.85% 1970 15% 1980 15.68% 1990 16.39% 2000 17.20% 2010 17.74% 2020 17.70% 2023 17.70% Source: United Nations Youth population dipping Year Share in population of 0-14 age group Share in population of 15-29 age group Share in population of 30-59 age group Share in population of 60+ age group 1991 37.2% 26.6% 28.9% 6.8% 2001 35.3% 26.6% 30.4% 7.4% 2011 30.8% 27.5% 32.8% 8.6% 2021 25.7% 27.2% 37% 10.1% 2031 21.8% 24.1% 41% 13.2% 2036 20.2% 22.7% 42.2% 15% Rest age not stated; Source: Youth in India 2022 Report, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation States/UTs with highest share of young population Uttar Pradesh: 29.9% Jammu and Kashmir: 29.3% Uttarakhand: 29.2% Northeast : 29.2% Jharkhand: 29.1% States with highest share old population Kerala: 16.5% Tamil Nadu: 13.7% Himachal Pradesh: 13.1% Punjab: 12.6% Andhra Pradesh: 12.3% Source: Youth in India 2022 Report Subscribe to India Today Magazine