India is expected to become the world’s most populous country in 2023, according to United Nations projections. India’s population is projected to surpass that of China, which is currently the most populous country in the world.
There are several reasons why India’s population is expected to continue to grow:
High fertility rate: India has a relatively high fertility rate compared to other countries, meaning that the average woman in India has more children than the average woman in other countries. This is partly due to cultural factors and a lack of access to family planning services.
Young population: India has a large number of young people, with a median age of around 27 years old, which is significantly younger than the median age in many developed countries. This means that there is a large population of people of child-bearing age, which contributes to the country’s high fertility rate.
Population momentum: Even if fertility rates in India were to decrease, the country’s population would continue to grow for a number of years due to the large number of young people already in the population who will reach child-bearing age.
Poverty, health and education: Low income, lack of access to healthcare and education also plays a role in India’s high fertility rate. People living in poverty, may have larger families as they see children as a source of income and security.
This growth in population can have a significant impact on the country, affecting the economy, environment, social and political issues. A growing population may place additional demands on the country’s infrastructure, resources, and services. India will have to address these issues and develop policies and plans to cope with the demographic changes.
In summary, India’s population is expected to surpass China in 2023 to become the world’s most populous country, due to the combination of relatively high fertility rates, young population, population momentum, poverty, health and education factors. The country needs to be prepared and address the challenges that this growth will bring.
