India’s population reached 1.43 billion in 2024 (as per UN World Population Prospects), having surpassed China in 2023. India is the world’s most populous country.
Census Overview (2024 project vs 2011 Census)
| Parameter |
2011 Census |
2024 (Projected) |
| Population |
1.21 billion |
1.43 billion |
| Decadal growth (2001-11) |
17.6% |
~10% (declining) |
| Sex ratio |
940 |
~943 (improving) |
| Literacy |
74.04% |
~80% |
| Urban population |
31.2% |
~37.5% |
| Population density |
382/km² |
450+/km² |
Population Distribution
Factors Affecting Distribution
| Physical Factors |
Human Factors |
| Terrain: Plains > mountains > deserts |
Historical: Ancient settlements along rivers |
| Climate: Temperate/monsoon > extreme |
Economic: Industrial/urban centers |
| Water availability: River valleys > dry zones |
Transport: Railway corridors attract density |
| Soil fertility: Alluvial > lateritic > arid |
Government policy: New cities, SEZs |
Population by Region
| Region |
Share (%) |
Characteristics |
| North India |
40% |
UP (largest state: ~240M), Bihar (110M), Punjab, Haryana |
| South India |
22% |
Kerala (highest literacy), Tamil Nadu (high urbanization) |
| East India |
22% |
West Bengal (90M), Odisha, Jharkhand |
| West India |
16% |
Maharashtra (highest urban population), Gujarat, Rajasthan |
| Northeast |
4% |
Assam (35M), other states low density |
| Central India |
— |
MP, Chhattisgarh — growing population |
Density of Population (Top and Bottom States)
| Highest Density |
Population/km² |
Lowest Density |
Population/km² |
| Delhi (UT) |
11,320 |
Arunachal Pradesh |
17 |
| Bihar |
1,108 |
Mizoram |
52 |
| West Bengal |
1,029 |
Andaman & Nicobar |
46 |
| Kerala |
860 |
Nagaland |
119 |
| Uttar Pradesh |
828 |
Sikkim |
86 |
Demographic Dividend
India has one of the largest work-age populations globally (~900 million in the 15-64 age group), with a median age of 28 — significantly younger than China (38), the US (38), Japan (49), and Europe (44+).
Window of Opportunity
- The demographic dividend is expected to last until 2055 (more than 2 decades longer than China’s)
- Dependency ratio declining: 60% (2000) → 48% (2024) → expected to rise after 2055
- To capitalize: Requires investments in education, skill development, health, and job creation
- At risk: If employment growth lags — demographic dividend could become a demographic disaster
Urbanization
- 2011 Census urban: 31.2% (377 million)
- 2024 projected urban: ~37.5% (~540 million)
- World average: 55%; developing Asia average: 45%
- Rate of urbanization: ~2-3% per year; many large cities growing at 4-5%
Millennial Cities (Million Plus)
| Rank |
City |
State |
2011 Population |
2024 (est.) |
| 1 |
Mumbai |
Maharashtra |
12.5M (MCGM); 18.4M (Greater Mumbai-UA) |
22+ million (UA) |
| 2 |
Delhi |
Delhi/NCR |
11M (Delhi); 16.8M (UA) |
20+ million (UA) |
| 3 |
Bengaluru |
Karnataka |
8.4M |
12+ million |
| 4 |
Hyderabad |
Telangana |
6.8M |
10+ million |
| 5 |
Ahmedabad |
Gujarat |
5.6M |
8+ million |
| 6 |
Chennai |
Tamil Nadu |
4.6M (Corp); 8.7M (UA) |
10+ million (UA) |
| 7 |
Kolkata |
West Bengal |
4.5M (Corp); 14.1M (UA) |
16+ million (UA) |
| 8 |
Surat |
Gujarat |
4.5M |
7+ million |
National Population Policy
| Parameter |
2000 NPP |
2017 NPP (draft) |
| Goal |
Stabilize population by 2045 |
Replacement level by 2030 |
| TFR target |
2.1 (replacement level) |
2.0 by 2030 |
| IMR target |
<30/1000 |
<25/1000 |
| MMR target |
<100/100,000 |
<70/100,000 |
Current Indicators (2024, SRS/NITI Aayog)
| Indicator |
India |
Best State |
Challenge State |
| Total Fertility Rate (TFR) |
2.0 |
Kerala (1.8), Tamil Nadu (1.7) |
Bihar (3.0), UP (2.9) |
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) |
30/1000 |
Kerala (6) |
Madhya Pradesh (46) |
| Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) |
97/100,000 |
Kerala (19) |
Assam (205), UP (167) |
| Contraceptive prevalence |
68% |
Kerala |
Bihar, UP |
Key Demographic Challenges
| Challenge |
Description |
| Regional imbalance |
High fertility in Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan vs. replacement level in Kerala, TN, Goa |
| Youth unemployment |
~10% unemployment rate; 1 million+ entering workforce monthly |
| Ageing population |
60+ population: 10% (2024) → projected 20% by 2050 |
| Sex ratio |
CSR (0-6 years): 918 girls/1000 boys (2011); improving but still concerning |
| Child malnutrition |
36% of children under 5 stunted — among highest in the world |
| Urban infrastructure |
Slum population ~65 million; urban housing shortage ~10 million |
| River water sharing |
Inter-state river disputes intensify with growing demand |
