The demographic features of the Indian population reflect the country's diverse and complex socio-cultural fabric. Below are the key demographic aspects:

1. Population Size and Growth

  • Total Population: As of 2023, India surpassed China to become the world's most populous country, with over 1.42 billion people.
  • Population Growth Rate: The annual growth rate has slowed down, currently at around 1% per year.
  • Fertility Rate: The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has declined to 2.0 children per woman (2023), which is close to the replacement level of 2.1.

2. Age Structure

  • Youthful Population: About 50% of the population is below 30 years of age.
  • Median Age: The median age is around 29 years, indicating a relatively young population.
  • Working-Age Population: Approximately 65% of the population falls within the working-age group (15–64 years), offering a potential demographic dividend.
  • Aging Population: The proportion of the elderly (60 years and above) is growing, currently around 10% of the population.

3. Urban vs. Rural Distribution

  • Rural Population: Despite urbanization, nearly 65% of the population still resides in rural areas.
  • Urbanization: The urban population is growing, driven by migration and development, with over 35% living in urban areas (2021 Census estimates).

4. Gender Distribution

  • Sex Ratio: The national sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) is around 1,020 females per 1,000 males, but regional variations exist.
  • Child Sex Ratio: In some regions, the child sex ratio (0–6 years) is lower due to societal preferences for male children, although efforts have been made to correct this imbalance.

5. Religious Composition

  • Hinduism: The majority religion, with around 79.8% of the population identifying as Hindu.
  • Islam: The second-largest religion, comprising around 14.2% of the population.
  • Other Religions: India also has significant populations of Christians (2.3%), Sikhs (1.7%), Buddhists, Jains, and others.

6. Caste and Social Structure

  • Caste System: The population is historically divided into castes, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and the general category. Government policies provide affirmative action for SCs, STs, and OBCs.
  • Scheduled Castes and Tribes: SCs make up around 16.6% and STs about 8.6% of the population.

7. Language Diversity

  • Multilingualism: India is home to over 1,600 languages, with 22 official languages recognized by the Constitution. Hindi is the most widely spoken, followed by Bengali, Telugu, and Marathi.
  • English Proficiency: English is widely used, particularly in urban areas and for official and business purposes.

8. Literacy Rate

  • National Literacy Rate: Approximately 77.7% of the population is literate (2021 Census estimates).
  • Gender Gap: The male literacy rate is higher (84.7%) compared to the female literacy rate (70.3%).

9. Health and Life Expectancy

  • Life Expectancy: Average life expectancy is around 70 years (male: 69 years, female: 71 years).
  • Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): The IMR has reduced significantly, currently at 28 deaths per 1,000 live births.
  • Healthcare Access: There are disparities in healthcare access between rural and urban areas, with rural areas facing challenges in healthcare infrastructure.

10. Economic and Occupational Structure

  • Agriculture: About 41% of the workforce is employed in agriculture, although it contributes less to the GDP compared to services and industry.
  • Services and Industry: The services sector is the largest contributor to GDP, employing around 31% of the workforce. The industrial sector, including manufacturing, employs about 28%.

11. Migration

  • Internal Migration: India experiences significant internal migration, primarily from rural to urban areas, for better economic opportunities.
  • International Migration: India is one of the largest sources of international migrants, particularly to the Gulf countries, the US, and Europe.

These demographic features shape India’s socio-economic policies, urban planning, and development strategies. The country’s large, youthful population presents both opportunities and challenges in areas like employment, education, and healthcare.