New Delhi – India remains the world’s most populous country, with its population projected to reach approximately 1.46 billion in 2025. However, the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined to 1.9, falling below the replacement level of 2.1, according to a new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released on Tuesday.
The 2025 State of World Population (SOWP) report highlights that the real concern is not the size of the population, but the widespread challenges individuals face in freely and responsibly deciding if, when, and how many children to have.
According to the report, India’s current population stands at 1,463.9 million, and it is expected to rise to around 1.7 billion before eventually beginning to decline.
The report also notes that India’s current Total Fertility Rate is 1.9, meaning that, on average, Indian women are having fewer children than required to maintain population levels from one generation to the next in the absence of migration. This marks a slight drop from the previously steady rate of 2.0 since 2020, based on the Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021 data.
Despite the decreasing birth rate, India’s youth population remains substantial:
- 24% are aged 0–14
- 17% are aged 10–19
- 26% are aged 10–24
About 68% of the population falls within the working-age group of 15–64, while those aged 65 and above constitute 7%.
By 2025, life expectancy at birth is projected to be 71 years for men and 74 years for women.
The UNFPA also classified India among middle-income nations experiencing rapid demographic transition, noting that the country’s population doubling time is now estimated at 79 years.
UNFPA India Representative Andrea M. Wojnar said, “India has made remarkable progress in reducing fertility rates—from nearly five children per woman in 1970 to about two today—thanks to better education and improved access to reproductive healthcare.”
“This progress has significantly lowered maternal mortality rates, meaning millions more mothers are alive today, raising children and contributing to their communities,” she added.
With inputs from IANS