Population projection for National Capital Region (NCR) in India during 2021 was estimated to be more than 71 million people. The National Capital Territory of Delhi accounted for around 20 million people. The total population of NCR was estimated to reach around 89 million by 2031. NCR is an urban agglomeration centered around the national capital territory of Delhi and includes certain districts of neighboring states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. A recent categorization of this region into three categories has been devised which divides the region into Core National Capital Territory of Delhi, Central National Capital Region (CNCR) Periphery including districts close to the core, and lastly, the rest of the NCR region.

As of the year 2024, the population of the capital city of India, Delhi was over 33 million people. This was a 2.63 percent growth from last year. The historical trends show that the population doubled between 1990 and 2010. However, the population growth rate in the last three years has been the lowest since the recorded period starting in 1960. The UN estimated that the population was expected to reach around 35 million by 2030. Reasons for population growth   As per the Delhi Economic Survey, migration added over 200 thousand people to Delhi’s population in 2022. The estimates showed relative stability in natural population growth for a long time before the pandemic. The numbers suggest a sharp decrease in birth rates from 2020 onwards and a corresponding increase in death rates in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The net natural addition or the remaining growth is attributed to migration. These estimates are based on trends published by the Civil Registration System. National Capital Region (NCR) Usually, population estimates for Delhi represent the urban agglomeration of Delhi, which includes Delhi and some of its adjacent suburban areas. The National Capital Region or NCR is one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world. It is an example of inter-state regional planning and development, centred around the National Capital Territory of Delhi, and covering certain districts of neighbouring states Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad are some of the key cities of NCR. Over the past decade, NCR has emerged as a key economic centre in India.

Population density of NCT of Delhi soared by 21.20% from 9,340 people per square kilometer in 2001 to 11,320 people per square kilometer in 2011. Since the 52.47% surge in 1961, population density rocketed by 531.34% in 2011. Notes: a. Includes estimated population of Paomata, Mao Maram and Purul sub-divisions of Senapati District of Manipur for 2001. b. For working out the density of India and Jammu & Kashmir the entire area and population of those portions of Jammu & Kashmir which are under illegal occupation of Pakistan and China have not been taken into account. c. India figures include estimated figures for those of the three sub-divisions viz. Mao Maram, Paomata and Purul of Senapati district of Manipur as population census 2001 in these three subdivisions were cancelled due to technical and administrative reasons although a population census was carried out in this sub-division as per schedule.

The National Capital Territory of Delhi within the National Capital Region was estimated to be 98 percent urban in 2011. However, the Central National Capital Region (CNCR) Periphery witnessed the highest increase in urban population from 47 percent in 1991 to 69 percent in 2011.

Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Delhi data was reported at 14.200 NA in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.400 NA for 2019. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Delhi data is updated yearly, averaging 17.800 NA from Dec 1997 (Median) to 2020, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 20.300 NA in 2000 and a record low of 14.200 NA in 2020. Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: per 1000 Population: Delhi 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.GAH002: Vital Statistics: Birth Rate: by States.

In the year 2022, 221 thousand people were estimated to have migrated to Delhi. This was a decrease from 2021. Migration contributed more to Delhi's population growth than the number of births, standing at 300 thousand.

The number of workers across the capital territory of Delhi in India during financial year 2023 was over 71 thousand workers. This was an increase from the previous year. The south Asian country of India had over 14 million workers in financial year 2023.

During the first quarter of 2023, the number of salaried employees in the National Capital Territory of Delhi stood at 3.3 million. Salaried employees registered a 6.5 percent growth in employment since 2020. Between January and April 2023, salaried employees accounted for around 57.2 percent of Delhi's employed population.

As of 2024, Mumbai had a gross domestic product of 368 billion U.S. dollars, the highest among other major cities in India. It was followed by Delhi with a GDP of around 167 billion U.S. dollars. India’s megacities also boast the highest GDP among other cities in the country. What drives the GDP of India’s megacities? Mumbai is the financial capital of the country, and its GDP growth is primarily fueled by the financial services sector, port-based trade, and the Hindi film industry or Bollywood. Delhi in addition to being the political hub hosts a significant services sector. The satellite cities of Noida and Gurugram amplify the city's economic status. The southern cities of Bengaluru and Chennai have emerged as IT and manufacturing hubs respectively. Hyderabad is a significant player in the pharma and IT industries. Lastly, the western city of Ahmedabad, in addition to its strategic location and ports, is powered by the textile, chemicals, and machinery sectors. Does GDP equal to quality of life? Cities propelling economic growth and generating a major share of GDP is a global phenomenon, as in the case of Tokyo, Shanghai, New York, and others. However, the GDP, which measures the market value of all final goods and services produced in a region, does not always translate to a rise in quality of life. Five of India’s megacities featured in the Global Livability Index, with low ranks among global peers. The Index was based on indicators such as healthcare, political stability, environment and culture, infrastructure, and others.