India’s Population Hits 146.39 Crore – UNFPA’s State of World Population 2025 Report

11 Jun 2025 GS 1 Governance
India’s Population Hits 146.39 Crore – UNFPA’s State of World Population 2025 Report Click to view full image


1. Population Estimates & Global Rank

  • As of April 2025, India’s estimated population is 146.39 crore, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report titled “State of the World Population 2025: The Real Fertility Crisis”.

  • This figure confirms India’s status as the most populous nation, ahead of China’s 141.61 crore.

2. Fertility Trends

  • Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1.

    • Replacement level TFR refers to the number of children each woman must have to replace the existing population.

  • According to the Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report 2021 by the Office of the Registrar General of India:

    • TFR was 2.0, same as in 2020.

    • The report confirms that India has attained replacement level fertility at the national level.

  • TFR is a key demographic indicator measuring the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her reproductive years.

3. Population Projections

  • India’s population is projected to peak at 170 crore in about 40 years, followed by a gradual decline.

4. Age Structure

  • Working-age population (15–64 years): 68%

  • Children (0–14 years): 24%

  • Adolescents (10–19 years): 17%

  • Youth (10–24 years): 26%

  • Elderly (65+ years): 7% — this segment is expected to increase with improvements in life expectancy.

5. Life Expectancy (2025 projections)

  • Men: 71 years

  • Women: 74 years

6. India’s Own Projections

  • India’s 2019 population projection by a technical expert group estimated a population of 141.10 crore for the year 2025 — close to the UNFPA's figure.

7. Census Delay

  • India’s decennial Census, originally scheduled for 2021, has been delayed.

    • Government has now announced completion by March 2027.

    • The last Census was conducted in 2011.

8. UNFPA’s Focus – “The Real Fertility Crisis”

  • The report argues the real issue is not overpopulation or underpopulation, but the inability of people to achieve their reproductive goals.

  • It advocates for reproductive agency — defined as a person’s right and ability to make free and informed decisions about sex, contraception, and family planning.

9. Data Sources and Methodology

  • The report draws from:

    • Nationally representative household surveys such as:

      • Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)

      • Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS)

    • Estimates from UN organizations and inter-agency bodies

    • Latest updates from:

      • World Population Prospects: 2024 revision

      • Model-based Estimates and Projections of Family Planning Indicators 2024 (UN DESA Population Division)



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