(Source IANS)
India remains the world’s most populous country, with an estimated 1.46 billion people in 2025, according to the latest State of World Population (SOWP) report released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday. However, the nation’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined to 1.9 births per woman, falling below the replacement level of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population. The report emphasizes that the real challenge lies not in population size but in ensuring individuals’ rights to freely and responsibly decide the number and spacing of their children.
The UN estimates India’s current population at 1,463.9 million, a figure projected to peak at around 1.7 billion before beginning to decline. While India’s TFR was previously recorded at 2.0 children per woman in 2021, the latest data shows a further drop to 1.9, signaling a demographic shift where women, on average, are having fewer children than required for generational replacement.
Despite the declining fertility rate, India continues to have a substantial youth population, with 24% aged 0-14, 17% between 10-19, and 26% in the 10-24 age group. The working-age population (15-64) constitutes 68% of the total, while the elderly (65 and older) account for 7%. Life expectancy at birth in 2025 is projected to be 71 years for men and 74 years for women.
The report categorizes India among middle-income nations experiencing rapid demographic changes, with its population doubling time now estimated at 79 years. Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative, highlighted the country’s progress in reducing fertility rates, from nearly five children per woman in 1970 to approximately two today, attributing this decline to improved education and access to reproductive healthcare. “This has led to major reductions in maternal mortality, meaning millions more mothers are alive today, raising children and building communities,” Wojnar stated.
The findings underscore the need for policies that support reproductive rights and address the challenges posed by shifting population dynamics, rather than focusing solely on population control.
