NEW DELHI, April 19 (Reuters) – India will overtake China as the world’s most populous country by the middle of this year, with nearly 3 million more people than its neighbors, United Nations data showed on Wednesday.
India’s population by mid-year was estimated at 1,428.6 million, compared with China’s 1,425.7 million, a drop of 2.9 million, according to this year’s State of World Population report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Population experts used previous United Nations data to predict that India’s population would surpass China’s this month, but the global body’s latest report did not specify a date.
The U.N. population official said the date could not be confirmed due to uncertainties in data from India and China, as India’s last census was conducted in 2011 and the next census was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A census is scheduled for 2021.
India’s population details
As of 2021, India’s population is estimated to be approximately 1.366 billion people, making it the second most populous country in the world after China. India is a diverse country with a rich cultural heritage and a population that speaks more than 1,600 languages and dialects.
India’s population growth rate has been declining in recent years but is still growing at a significant rate. In 2020, the population growth rate was estimated to be 0.99%, down from a peak of 2.4% in the 1970s. The country’s population is projected to reach 1.53 billion by 2050.
India’s population is unevenly distributed across the country, with the northern states being more densely populated than the southern states. The largest cities in India include Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore, each with populations of over 10 million people.
India’s population is also relatively young, with a median age of 28 years. However, the country is also facing challenges related to an aging population, with the number of people over the age of 60 expected to triple by 2050.
Overall, India’s population is diverse, growing, and facing a range of challenges related to demographics, urbanization, and economic development.
China’s population details
As of 2021, China’s population is estimated to be approximately 1.4 billion people, making it the most populous country in the world. China has a diverse population, with over 50 recognized ethnic groups, with the Han ethnic group being the largest, accounting for over 90% of the population.
China’s population growth rate has been declining in recent years due to the government’s one-child policy, which was implemented in 1979 to control population growth. The policy restricted most couples to having only one child, although there were some exceptions, such as for rural families or those with a disabled child. The one-child policy was officially abolished in 2015, and couples are now allowed to have two children.
As a result of the one-child policy, China’s population is aging rapidly. In 2020, the median age was 38.4 years, and the proportion of people over 65 years old was 12.6%, up from 8.9% in 2010. This demographic shift is putting pressure on China’s pension and healthcare systems, and the government has implemented policies to encourage people to have more children to address this issue.
China is also facing challenges related to population distribution, with the majority of the population concentrated in the eastern coastal regions, while the western regions are less densely populated. The largest cities in China include Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, each with populations of over 10 million people.
Overall, China’s population is diverse, aging, and facing a range of challenges related to demographics, urbanization, and economic development. The government’s policies to address these challenges will have significant implications for China’s future population trends.
