Guided story
How many people live in India?
India's population hit 145.1 crore in 2024, but growth is slowing fast. Here's what the numbers mean.
How many people live in India today?
India's population stood at 145.1 crore in 2024, according to the World Bank. That is up from 43.6 crore in 1960, more than tripling in six decades. But the rate of addition has changed dramatically. The line chart shows a steep climb through the 1970s and 1980s, then a gentle flattening after 2000. The absolute number keeps rising, but the percentage growth is now much lower. These are estimates from the World Bank; the official Census of India may differ slightly.
India's population, 1960 to today
World Bank · SP.POP.TOTL
2024 · latest point
India's population rose from 43.6 crore in 1960 to 145.1 crore in 2024, but the line is flattening as growth slows.
The chart plots annual population totals from 1960 to 2024 using World Bank data. The line climbs steeply through the 1970s and 1980s as the population more than doubled. After 2000, the curve begins to level off, reflecting slower growth. The latest point (2024) is 145.1 crore. The earliest point (1960) is 43.6 crore. The shape shows that while the population is still rising, the pace of addition is declining.
Who are these people? A look at the age and sex breakdown.
The population pyramid for 2025 (based on UN projections) reveals who lives in India. The widest bars are in the middle age groups (20-35 years), reflecting the large working-age population. There are more males than females in most age groups, a pattern shaped by sex ratio at birth and mortality differences. The pyramid is no longer a classic triangle: the base (children 0-4) is narrower than the middle, showing the effect of falling fertility. This shape is typical of a country transitioning from high to low birth rates. Currently, 68.2% of Indians are of working age (15-64), while 24.6% are children and 7.1% are elderly.
Population pyramid, 2025
UN median variant · 2025
The widest bars are in the 20-35 age groups, and the base is narrower than the middle, showing the effect of falling fertility.
This pyramid shows the number of males (left) and females (right) in 5-year age groups for 2025, based on UN projections. The largest bars are in the 20-24 and 25-29 age groups, reflecting the large working-age cohort. The base (ages 0-4) is smaller than the bars above it, a sign of declining births. There are more males than females in most age groups. The shape is typical of a population transitioning from high to low fertility.
How fast is the population still growing?
The annual growth rate has fallen from 2.4% in 1961 to 0.9% in 2024. The line chart makes this decline clear. Even at 0.9%, the absolute increase remains large because the base is huge. But the trend is unmistakable: growth is slowing. The main driver is the steep drop in fertility, which we look at next.
Annual population growth rate
World Bank · SP.POP.GROW
2024 · latest point
The growth rate has fallen from 2.4% in 1961 to 0.9% in 2024, a decline of more than half.
This line chart shows the annual percentage change in population from 1961 to 2024. The rate peaked around the 1970s and has been declining ever since. The latest value (2024) is 0.9%, meaning the population grows by less than 1% per year. In 1961 it was 2.4%. The decline is driven by falling fertility and, to a lesser extent, rising mortality (though mortality has also improved).
Why is growth slowing? The dramatic fall in fertility.
The fertility rate (the average number of children a woman would have during her reproductive years) in India has fallen from 5.92 births per woman in 1960 to 1.96 in 2024. This means the average woman today has fewer than two children, compared to nearly six in 1960. This decline is the single biggest reason for the slowdown in population growth. However, population momentum means the number of people continues to rise even after fertility drops, because the large number of young women from earlier high-fertility years are still having children.
Births per woman
World Bank · SP.DYN.TFRT.IN
2024 · latest point
The fertility rate dropped from 5.92 births per woman in 1960 to 1.96 in 2024, below replacement level.
This chart shows the total fertility rate (TFR) from 1960 to 2024. The line falls steeply from nearly 6 in 1960 to around 2 by the 2010s, and has stabilised around 1.96 in 2024. The decline is the main reason population growth is slowing. Even though fertility is now low, population momentum means growth continues for decades because the large number of young women from earlier high-fertility years are still having children.
What is the age structure of India today?
As of 2024, children (0-14) make up 24.6% of the population, working-age adults (15-64) 68.2%, and the elderly (65+) 7.1%. These shares are very different from 1960 when children were 40.6% and elderly just 3.3%. The working-age group dominates today, which is the heart of India's potential demographic dividend. But not everyone in that age group is employed, and the share of elderly is slowly rising.
Age structure today
UN median variant · share of population · 2025
In 2024, 68.2% of Indians are of working age (15-64), 24.6% are children, and 7.1% are elderly.
This chart shows the population divided into three broad age groups for 2024. The working-age group dominates at 68.2%. Children (0-14) make up 24.6%, and the elderly (65+) account for 7.1%. In 1960, children were 40.6% and elderly just 3.3%. The shift reflects lower fertility and longer lives. The large working-age share is the demographic dividend.
How old is India on average?
The median age (the age that splits the population into two equal halves) has risen from 21.2 years in 2000 to a projected 30.8 years by 2030. That means India is getting older on average, even though it is still young compared to many countries. A rising median age reflects both lower fertility and longer life expectancy. This trend will continue: by 2030, half of Indians will be over 31.
Median age
UN Population
2030 · latest point
India's median age is projected to rise from 21.2 years in 2000 to 30.8 years by 2030.
This chart shows the median age from 2000 to 2030 (projected). The median age has increased steadily, reflecting both lower fertility (fewer young people) and higher life expectancy (more older people). By 2030, half of Indians will be over 30.8 years old, compared to half over 21.2 in 2000. This aging trend is common in countries that have experienced a fertility decline.
How has India's age mix shifted over time?
The share of children has been falling steadily, from 40.6% in 1960 to 24.6% in 2024. The working-age share has risen from 56.1% to 68.2% in the same period. The elderly share has more than doubled from 3.3% to 7.1%. This shift (fewer children, more workers, slowly more elderly) opened India's demographic dividend window. The gap between workers and dependents is wide now, but it will narrow as the elderly share grows.
How India's age mix has shifted
World Bank · share of population · 1960 to today
2024 · latest point
The share of children fell from 40.6% in 1960 to 24.6% in 2024, while the working-age share rose from 56.1% to 68.2%.
This chart shows three lines or areas over time: the percentage of population aged 0-14, 15-64, and 65+. The children's share declines steadily from 40.6% (1960) to 24.6% (2024). The working-age share rises from 56.1% to 68.2%. The elderly share increases slowly from 3.3% to 7.1%. The widening gap between working-age and children is the demographic dividend window.
How long do Indians live now?
Life expectancy at birth has improved from 62.8 years in 2000 to a projected 73.6 years by 2030. Women live longer than men: 75.4 years vs 72.0 in 2030. This increase means people are living longer lives, which contributes to the aging of the population. Better healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation are likely drivers, though the data does not specify causes. Rising life expectancy also increases the number of elderly, affecting pension and health systems.
Life expectancy at birth
UN Population
2030 · latest point
Life expectancy at birth is projected to reach 73.6 years by 2030, up from 62.8 years in 2000.
This chart shows life expectancy at birth for both sexes, with separate lines for males and females. In 2000, life expectancy was 62.8 years (61.76 for men, 63.79 for women). By 2030, it is projected at 73.6 years (72.0 for men, 75.4 for women). Women consistently outlive men. The increase is associated with improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation, though the data does not specify causes.
How many more years can a 60-year-old expect?
Once a person reaches 60, they can expect to live additional years. In 2021, a 60-year-old woman could expect 16.5 more years, a man 14.8 years. These numbers are important for pension planning and healthcare. Life expectancy at age 60 has been rising, though the latest data (2021) shows a slight dip compared to 2019, possibly due to the pandemic. The long-term trend is upward.
Life expectancy at 60
WHO GHO
2021 · latest point
In 2021, a 60-year-old woman could expect to live 16.5 more years, a man 14.8.
This chart shows the expected remaining years at age 60, by sex, for 2021 (WHO data). For both sexes combined, it is 15.6 years. For women it is 16.5 years, for men 14.8 years. These numbers have been rising over time but saw a slight dip in 2021 possibly due to the pandemic. Life expectancy at 60 is important for retirement planning and healthcare needs of the elderly.
How is child survival improving?
The under-five mortality rate has fallen to 27.8 per 1,000 live births in 2023, and the infant mortality rate to 24.5 per 1,000 live births. Both rates continue to decline, meaning more children are surviving their early years. The improvement is substantial, but rates remain higher among poorer households. For example, the under-five mortality rate in the poorest wealth quintile is 42.2 per 1,000, compared to 14.3 in the richest.
Child mortality by age
WHO · deaths before each age, per 1,000 live births
2023 · latest point
In 2023, the under-five mortality rate was 27.8 per 1,000 live births, and infant mortality was 24.5.
This chart shows two rates: under-five mortality and infant mortality (under-1) over recent years. Both have been declining. In 2023, under-five mortality is 27.8 per 1,000 live births (with uncertainty range 23.9-32.1). Infant mortality is 24.5 per 1,000 (range 21.1-28.2). The rates are higher among poorer households: under-five mortality in the poorest quintile is 42.2 per 1,000, versus 14.3 in the richest.
How many children does each worker support?
The child dependency ratio (the number of children aged 0-14 per 100 working-age adults aged 15-64) has fallen sharply from 59.2 in 2000 to a projected 32.4 in 2030. That means each worker today has fewer children to support than in the past. This decline is a direct result of falling fertility. It lightens the economic burden on families and the state, but the quality of education and healthcare spending remains a challenge.
Child dependency ratio
UN median variant · per 100 working-age adults
2030 · latest point
The child dependency ratio dropped from 59.2 in 2000 to a projected 32.4 in 2030.
This chart shows the number of children (0-14) per 100 working-age adults (15-64). The ratio has fallen sharply, reflecting lower fertility. In 2000, there were 59.2 children per 100 adults. By 2030, that is projected to be 32.4. A lower ratio means each worker has fewer children to support, which can free up resources for other investments.
How many elderly does each worker support?
The old-age dependency ratio (the number of people 65+ per 100 working-age adults) has risen from 7.3 in 2000 to a projected 12.4 in 2030. This ratio is still low but rising steadily. As life expectancy increases and the large working-age cohorts enter old age, the ratio will climb. India will need to invest in pension systems and healthcare for the elderly.
Old-age dependency ratio
UN median variant · per 100 working-age adults
2030 · latest point
The old-age dependency ratio rose from 7.3 in 2000 to a projected 12.4 in 2030.
This chart shows the number of elderly (65+) per 100 working-age adults (15-64). The ratio has increased from 7.3 in 2000 to 12.4 in 2030 (projected). This means there are more elderly per worker, increasing the need for pensions and healthcare. The ratio is still low but rising steadily as life expectancy increases.
What will India's population be in 2030?
UN projections for 2030 range from 150.4 crore (low-fertility scenario) to 154.7 crore (high-fertility scenario). The median projection is 152.5 crore. The difference of about 4.3 crore between the low and high scenarios shows how sensitive the future is to fertility trends. If fertility stays near current levels, the median is most likely. But social change and economic conditions could push numbers either way.
Population scenarios to 2030
Total population by sex · UN variants
India's population in 2030 could be between 150.4 crore (low fertility) and 154.7 crore (high fertility), with a median of 152.5 crore.
This chart shows UN population projections for 2030 under different fertility assumptions. The median scenario predicts 152.5 crore. The low-fertility scenario predicts 150.4 crore, while the high-fertility scenario predicts 154.7 crore. The range of about 4.3 crore illustrates uncertainty. Other scenarios (constant fertility, instant replacement) fall within this range.