India Becomes World’s Most Populous Nation – UNFPA SoWP 2025

India’s Population: Estimated at 146.39 crore (1.4639 billion) by April 2025.
Surpasses China: China’s population stands at 141.61 crore, marking a demographic shift.
TFR (Total Fertility Rate): Declined to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1.
- Replacement level ensures population replacement without migration.
- Indicates that India has reached the population stabilization phase.

Technical Expert Committee (2019): Projected 141.1 crore for 2025.
Sample Registration System (SRS) 2021: TFR = 2.0 → validates India has attained replacement-level fertility.

Not overpopulation or underpopulation, but the inability of people to realize their fertility choices.
Urges focus on reproductive agency—free, informed choices on sex, contraception, and childbearing.
Calls for a rights-based approach, avoiding coercive or alarmist population control policies.
Aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Youth:
- 0–14 years → 24%
- 10–19 years → 17%
- 10–24 years → 26%
Working-age (15–64 years): 68% → demographic dividend window still open.
Elderly (65+ years): 7%, expected to rise with higher life expectancy.
- Life Expectancy: 71 years (men), 74 years (women).

DHS, MICS, UN Population Prospects (2024), UN DESA family planning models.
Data used for development planning, policy design, and global benchmarking.

Founded: 1968 | HQ: New York
Mission: “Delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.”
Works in three major areas:
1. Reproductive health (e.g., family planning, STDs)
2. Population strategies for sustainable development
3. Women’s empowerment, particularly education and gender equity
Offers technical and financial support for censuses, surveys, and reproductive health initiatives.
Programs run only on government request.

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