In 2023, the annual population growth in India was 0.88 percent. Between 1961 and 2023, the figure dropped by 1.52 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

The statistic shows the total population of India from 2019 to 2029. In 2023, the estimated total population in India amounted to approximately 1.43 billion people.

Total population in India

India currently has the second-largest population in the world and is projected to overtake top-ranking China within forty years. Its residents comprise more than one-seventh of the entire world’s population, and despite a slowly decreasing fertility rate (which still exceeds the replacement rate and keeps the median age of the population relatively low), an increasing life expectancy adds to an expanding population. In comparison with other countries whose populations are decreasing, such as Japan, India has a relatively small share of aged population, which indicates the probability of lower death rates and higher retention of the existing population.

With a land mass of less than half that of the United States and a population almost four times greater, India has recognized potential problems of its growing population. Government attempts to implement family planning programs have achieved varying degrees of success. Initiatives such as sterilization programs in the 1970s have been blamed for creating general antipathy to family planning, but the combined efforts of various family planning and contraception programs have helped halve fertility rates since the 1960s. The population growth rate has correspondingly shrunk as well, but has not yet reached less than one percent growth per year.

As home to thousands of ethnic groups, hundreds of languages, and numerous religions, a cohesive and broadly-supported effort to reduce population growth is difficult to create. Despite that, India is one country to watch in coming years. It is also a growing economic power; among other measures, its GDP per capita was expected to triple between 2003 and 2013 and was listed as the third-ranked country for its share of the global gross domestic product.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for India (SPPOPGROWIND) from 1961 to 2024 about India, population, and rate.

The share of projected population increase in Uttar Pradesh, India from 2011 until 2036 is expected to grow by nearly ** percent. By contrast, the estimated population increase in Uttarakhand is expected to be less than *** percent during the same time period.

Why project population?
Population projections for a country are becoming increasingly important now than ever before. They are used primarily by government policy makers and planners to better understand and gauge future demand for basic services that predominantly include water, food and energy. In addition, they also support in indicating major movements that may affect economic development and in turn, employment and labour productivity. Consequently, this leads to amending policies in order to better adapt to the needs of society and to various circumstances.

Demographic projections and health interventions Demographic figures serve the foremost purpose of improving health and health related services among the population. Some of the government interventions include antenatal and neonatal care with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity rates. In addition, it also focuses on improving immunization coverage across the country. Further, demographic estimates help in better preempting the needs of growing populations, such as the geriatric population within a country.

Population growth (annual %) in India was reported at 0.89071 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

From 2011 to 2036, the projected population among both, males and females in India is expected to see an increase. The percentage increase in the projected population for males was approximately ** percent from 2011 to 2036 while the percentage increase for the female population was roughly ** percent during the same time period.

India Vital Statistics: Natural Growth Rate: per 1000 Population data was reported at 13.500 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.800 NA for 2019. India Vital Statistics: Natural Growth Rate: per 1000 Population data is updated yearly, averaging 18.500 NA from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2020, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22.000 NA in 1971 and a record low of 13.500 NA in 2020. India Vital Statistics: Natural Growth Rate: per 1000 Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.GAH001: Vital Statistics.

Population density per pixel at 100 metre resolution. WorldPop provides estimates of numbers of people residing in each 100x100m grid cell for every low and middle income country. Through ingegrating cencus, survey, satellite and GIS datasets in a flexible machine-learning framework, high resolution maps of population counts and densities for 2000-2020 are produced, along with accompanying metadata. DATASET: Alpha version 2010 and 2015 estimates of numbers of people per grid square, with national totals adjusted to match UN population division estimates (http://esa.un.org/wpp/) and remaining unadjusted. REGION: Africa SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 0.000833333 decimal degrees (approx 100m at the equator) PROJECTION: Geographic, WGS84 UNITS: Estimated persons per grid square MAPPING APPROACH: Land cover based, as described in: Linard, C., Gilbert, M., Snow, R.W., Noor, A.M. and Tatem, A.J., 2012, Population distribution, settlement patterns and accessibility across Africa in 2010, PLoS ONE, 7(2): e31743. FORMAT: Geotiff (zipped using 7-zip (open access tool): www.7-zip.org) FILENAMES: Example - AGO10adjv4.tif = Angola (AGO) population count map for 2010 (10) adjusted to match UN national estimates (adj), version 4 (v4). Population maps are updated to new versions when improved census or other input data become available. India data available from WorldPop here.

Key information about India population

• The India population reached 1,408.0 million people in Mar 2025, compared with the previously reported figure of 1,395.0 million people in Mar 2024
• The data reached an all-time high of 1,408.0 million people in Mar 2025 and a record low of 359.0 million people in Mar 1951

Central Statistics Office provides Population in annual frequency, ending in March of each year

The growth rate of the elderly population in India saw a sharp increase from 2001 onward after a series of successive falls. According to projections for 2021-31, the growth rate was expected to be five times the growth rate of the total population.

India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data was reported at 68,740,419.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 49,393,496.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data is updated yearly, averaging 59,066,957.500 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 68,740,419.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 49,393,496.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: by Religion: Muslim: Urban data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census of India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAE001: Census: Population: by Religion.

Urban population (% of total population) in India was reported at 36.87 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

India: Population density, people per square km: The latest value from 2021 is 473 people per square km, an increase from 470 people per square km in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 456 people per square km, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for India from 1961 to 2021 is 305 people per square km. The minimum value, 153 people per square km, was reached in 1961 while the maximum of 473 people per square km was recorded in 2021.

This statistic shows the ten countries with the largest increase in the size of the population between 2023 and 2050. Based on forecasted population figures, the population of India is projected to be around *** million more in 2050 than it was in 2023.

India Population: Census: Age: 35 to 39 Year data was reported at 85,140.684 Person th in 03-01-2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 70,574.000 Person th for 03-01-2001. India Population: Census: Age: 35 to 39 Year data is updated decadal, averaging 70,574.000 Person th from Mar 1991 (Median) to 03-01-2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 85,140.684 Person th in 03-01-2011 and a record low of 52,399.000 Person th in 03-01-1991. India Population: Census: Age: 35 to 39 Year data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAD001: Census: Population: by Age Group.

The total population in India was estimated at 1398.6 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides - India Population - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 1800, the population of the region of present-day India was approximately 169 million. The population would grow gradually throughout the 19th century, rising to over 240 million by 1900. Population growth would begin to increase in the 1920s, as a result of falling mortality rates, due to improvements in health, sanitation and infrastructure. However, the population of India would see it’s largest rate of growth in the years following the country’s independence from the British Empire in 1948, where the population would rise from 358 million to over one billion by the turn of the century, making India the second country to pass the billion person milestone. While the rate of growth has slowed somewhat as India begins a demographics shift, the country’s population has continued to grow dramatically throughout the 21st century, and in 2020, India is estimated to have a population of just under 1.4 billion, well over a billion more people than one century previously. Today, approximately 18% of the Earth’s population lives in India, and it is estimated that India will overtake China to become the most populous country in the world within the next five years.

Key information about Canada population

• The Canada population reached 41.3 million people in Jun 2024, compared with the previously reported figure of 40.1 million people in Jun 2023
• The data reached an all-time high of 41.3 million people in Jun 2024 and a record low of 14.0 million people in Jun 1950

CEIC extends history for annual Population. Statistics Canada provides Mid-year Population. Postcensal estimates, which are based on the latest Census counts adjusted for Census Net Undercoverage (CNU), including adjustment for Incompletely Enumerated Indian Reserves (IEIR) and the components of demographic growth that occurred since that census. Intercensal estimates are produced using counts from two consecutive censuses adjusted for CNU (including (IEIR) and postcensal estimates) Population prior to 1971 is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. Population is in annual frequency, ending in June of each year.


Further information about Canada population data

• In the latest reports, Canada Unemployment Rate increased to 6.6 % in Aug 2024
• Monthly earnings of the Canada population was 3,656.6 USD in Jun 2024
• Canada Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 66.2 % in Aug 2024

India Census: Population: Rural data was reported at 833,748,852.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 742,617,747.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Rural data is updated yearly, averaging 329,471,274.500 Person from Mar 1901 (Median) to 2011, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 833,748,852.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 212,544,454.000 Person in 1901. India Census: Population: Rural data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census of India. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.GAB001: Census: Population.

India Census: Population: Urban: Male data was reported at 195,489,200.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 150,554,098.000 Person for 2001. India Census: Population: Urban: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 173,021,649.000 Person from Mar 2001 (Median) to 2011, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 195,489,200.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 150,554,098.000 Person in 2001. India Census: Population: Urban: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Census of India. The data is categorized under India Premium Database’s Demographic – Table IN.GAB001: Census: Population.