India has overtaken China as the world’s most populous country, with 1.43 billion people, according to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of World Population report. The report highlights key demographics and regional population trends, as well as projecting future growth and the impact of migration.
Demographics
The global population currently stands at 8.05 billion, with 65% of people aged between 15 and 64. Central and Southern Asia, which includes India, and Eastern and South-Eastern Asia, which includes China, are the world’s most populous regions. These regions represent 29% and 26% of the global population respectively, and are expected to continue to grow in the coming years. Central and Southern Asia is projected to become the most populous region in the world by 2037.
Future projections
The UNFPA report projects that the global population will grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.4 billion in 2100. The majority of the projected increase in global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in eight countries, including India, Nigeria, and Pakistan.
Outlook for population growth
The report finds that the rate of global population growth has fallen, due largely to declining fertility rates. Around two-thirds of people live in a country or area with a total fertility rate at or below 2.1 children per woman, which is considered the “replacement fertility” rate. The global fertility rate stood at 5 in 1950 but has fallen significantly since then, with 60% of the world’s population now living in regions where the fertility rate is below replacement level.
Migration as driver of growth
International migration is now the driver of growth in many countries, with 281 million people living outside their country of birth in 2020. Migration has occurred due to war, famines, and other catastrophes, with South Asia seeing some of the highest emigration trends. India saw an estimated net outflow of 3.5 million migrants between 2010 and 2021.
Life Expectancy
Increasing life expectancy is also a factor in global population growth. Mortality rates have been dropping in various parts of the world due to better access to healthcare and improving standards of living. Globally, life expectancy reached 72.8 years in 2019, with projections that this will rise to an average of 77.2 years globally in 2050. The share of the global population aged 65 years or above is also expected to rise from 10% in 2022 to 16% in 2050.
India’s population
India has a young population, with 68% aged between 15 and 64, and 26% aged between 10 and 24. Experts believe that India’s large population is the result of “population momentum” from earlier decades, but that the country’s population is likely to start declining around 2050. The National Family Health 5 Survey (2019-21) found that India attained a Total Fertility Rate of 2.0, falling from 2.2 in the previous survey, due to increased use of contraceptive methods and spacing of pregnancies.
Why In News
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) recently released its State of World Population (SOWP) report titled ‘8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities’, which stated that India has surpassed China in population and is now the world’s most populous country.
MCQs about United Nations Population Report
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Which country has recently overtaken China in population according to the UNFPA report?
A. India
B. Japan
C. USA
D. Russia
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What is the name of the report released by the UNFPA?
A. 8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities
B. State of World Population
C. Population and Development Report
D. World Population Prospects
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What is the main reason behind the increase in the world population?
A. Increased life expectancy
B. Improved healthcare facilities
C. High fertility rates in developing countries
D. Decrease in infant mortality rates
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What is the impact of population growth on the environment ?
A. Decrease in carbon emissions
B. Decrease in deforestation
C. Increase in greenhouse gas emissions
D. Increase in wildlife conservation
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