The Pulse of a Billion Nation

Unpacking growth, diversity, and future trends.

The Pulse of a Billion Nation Landing
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India: World's Most Populous Nation

🌍 India: World's Most Populous Nation

Over 1.4 Billion People

  • India is currently the most populous country globally.
  • Its estimated population was 1,450,935,791 in 2024.
  • This demographic status significantly impacts global trends in economy and development.
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Significant Post-Independence Population Boom

📈 Significant Post-Independence Population Boom

From 361 Million (1951)

  • India's population grew from 361 million in 1951 to over 1.4 billion by 2023.
  • The population doubled to 1.2 billion between 1975 and 2010.
  • Annual growth rate was 2.3% from 1972-1983, decreasing to 0.98% by 2017.
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India's Population Growth: 1951-2023

📊 India's Population Growth: 1951-2023

From 361 Million to Over 1.4 Billion

World Bank, Population, total - India (1951-2023)

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India's Annual Population Growth Rate: 1972-2017

📊 India's Annual Population Growth Rate: 1972-2017

Tracking the Rate of Increase Over Decades

World Bank, Population growth (annual %) - India, 1972-2017

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Diverse Population Density Across India

🗺️ Diverse Population Density Across India

Indo-Gangetic Plains Densely Populated

  • India occupies 2.4% of the world's land area but is home to 17.5% of the global population.
  • The Indo-Gangetic Plain and eastern/western coastal regions of Deccan Plateau are highly dense.
  • The Thar Desert in western Rajasthan is one of the world's most densely populated deserts.
  • Himalayan states have lower population densities due to challenging physical barriers.
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India's Global Share: Land Area vs. Population

📊 India's Global Share: Land Area vs. Population

Comparison of Proportional Contribution

Our World in Data (various country profiles), United Nations Population Division (World Population Prospects 2022), and World Bank (Land Area Data).

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Relatively Young Median Age

👶 Relatively Young Median Age

29.5 Years (2023)

  • The median age of an Indian was 29.5 years in 2023.
  • This is younger compared to 39.8 for China and 49.5 for Japan in the same year.
  • India's dependency ratio is projected to be just over 0.4 by 2030.
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Median Age Comparison: India vs. China vs. Japan (2023)

📊 Median Age Comparison: India vs. China vs. Japan (2023)

Demographic Profiles of Key Asian Nations

Our World in Data, Median Age, 2023 (based on UN World Population Prospects)

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Falling Numbers of Children and Youth

📉 Falling Numbers of Children and Youth

Peak in 2007 (Under 5s)

  • The number of children under the age of five peaked in 2007 and has been declining since.
  • The number of Indians under 15 years old peaked in 2011 and is also now falling.
  • This trend suggests a demographic shift in the country.
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India's Declining Young Population: Children Under 5 and 15

📊 India's Declining Young Population: Children Under 5 and 15

Peak and Decline of Youth Cohorts

World Population Prospects 2022, United Nations, Population Division

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Immense Linguistic and Ethnic Diversity

🗣️ Immense Linguistic and Ethnic Diversity

Four Major Language Families

  • India is a pluralistic, multilingual, and multi-ethnic society.
  • It encompasses four major language families: Indo-European, Dravidian, Austroasiatic, and Sino-Tibetan.
  • The nation's linguistic, genetic, and cultural diversity is exceeded only by the continent of Africa.
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Improving Female-to-Male Sex Ratio

👩‍👦 Improving Female-to-Male Sex Ratio

944 Females per 1000 Males (2016)

  • The sex ratio in India was 940 females per 1000 males in 2011.
  • This ratio showed an upward trend, reaching 944 per 1000 in 2016.
  • The continuous decline in the 20th century has been reversed in the last two decades.
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India's Third-Largest Muslim Population Globally

🕌 India's Third-Largest Muslim Population Globally

172.2 Million Muslims (2011)

  • Islam is India's second-largest religion, with 14.2% of the country's population.
  • Approximately 172.2 million people identified as Muslim in the 2011 census.
  • India hosts the third-largest number of Muslims in the world, primarily Sunni adherents.
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Population Trends: India, China, Europe, and US

📊 Population Trends: India, China, Europe, and US

Historical Data and Projections to 2050

UN World Population Prospects (2022 Revision), published via Our World in Data

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Projections for India's Population Growth

📊 Projections for India's Population Growth

1.7 Billion by 2050 (Predicted)

  • India's population was predicted in 2015 to reach 1.7 billion by 2050.
  • Current estimates project India's population to be 1,467,899,435 as of October 27, 2025.
  • These projections indicate continued growth, though at a slowing rate.
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Different Population Paths Compared

🌏 Different Population Paths Compared

India, China, Europe, US

  • The UN's latest demographic projections track distinct paths for India, China, Europe, and the United States.
  • Together, these four populations account for about half of the world's current population.
  • Each region exhibits unique demographic trends and future outlooks.
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India Overtakes China as World's Most Populous

🏆 India Overtakes China as World's Most Populous

2023 Milestone

  • In 2023, India's population officially surpassed China's, making it the world's most populous nation.
  • India's population reached slightly over 1.428 billion, edging past China's 1.425 billion.
  • This milestone was reported based on data from the UN's World Population dashboard.
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