This statistic represents the population of children and young adults across India in 2016, broken down by age groups. The population for 16 to 17 year olds during the measured time period was approximately ** million, while young adults between 18 and 23 years old accounted for the largest numbers in this category.

The proportion of selected age groups of world population in 2016, broken down by region can be found here.

Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) in India was reported at 36.09 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Age dependency ratio, young (% of working-age population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

This statistic depicts the age distribution of India from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, about 25.06 percent of the Indian population fell into the 0-14 year category, 68.02 percent into the 15-64 age group and 6.92 percent were over 65 years of age. Age distribution in India India is one of the largest countries in the world and its population is constantly increasing. India’s society is categorized into a hierarchically organized caste system, encompassing certain rights and values for each caste. Indians are born into a caste, and those belonging to a lower echelon often face discrimination and hardship. The median age (which means that one half of the population is younger and the other one is older) of India’s population has been increasing constantly after a slump in the 1970s, and is expected to increase further over the next few years. However, in international comparison, it is fairly low; in other countries the average inhabitant is about 20 years older. But India seems to be on the rise, not only is it a member of the BRIC states – an association of emerging economies, the other members being Brazil, Russia and China –, life expectancy of Indians has also increased significantly over the past decade, which is an indicator of access to better health care and nutrition. Gender equality is still non-existant in India, even though most Indians believe that the quality of life is about equal for men and women in their country. India is patriarchal and women still often face forced marriages, domestic violence, dowry killings or rape. As of late, India has come to be considered one of the least safe places for women worldwide. Additionally, infanticide and selective abortion of female fetuses attribute to the inequality of women in India. It is believed that this has led to the fact that the vast majority of Indian children aged 0 to 6 years are male.

Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in India was reported at 16.03 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

India youth unemployment rate for 2024 was 16.03%, a 0.37% increase from 2023.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>India youth unemployment rate for 2023 was <strong>15.66%</strong>, a <strong>2.11% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>India youth unemployment rate for 2022 was <strong>17.77%</strong>, a <strong>3.06% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>India youth unemployment rate for 2021 was <strong>20.82%</strong>, a <strong>3.84% decline</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.

The median age in India was 27 years old in 2020, meaning half the population was older than that, half younger. This figure was lowest in 1970, at 18.1 years, and was projected to increase to 47.8 years old by 2100. Aging in India India has the second largest population in the world, after China. Because of the significant population growth of the past years, the age distribution remains skewed in favor of the younger age bracket. This tells a story of rapid population growth, but also of a lower life expectancy. Economic effects of a young population Many young people means that the Indian economy must support a large number of students, who demand education from the economy but cannot yet work. Educating the future workforce will be important, because the economy is growing as well and is one of the largest in the world. Failing to do this could lead to high youth unemployment and political consequences. However, a productive and young workforce could provide huge economic returns for India.

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in India was reported at 15.43 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, male (number) in India was reported at 9138430 Persons in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. India - Youth illiterate population, 15-24 years, male - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 81.482 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 80.490 % for 2023. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 80.947 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2024, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 86.200 % in 1994 and a record low of 77.710 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for India (SLUEM1524ZSIND) from 1991 to 2024 about 15 to 24 years, India, unemployment, and rate.

In 2024, the estimated youth unemployment rate in India was at 16.03 percent. According to the source, the data are ILO estimates. For the past decade, India’s youth unemployment rate has been hovering around the 22 percent mark. What is the youth unemployment rate?The youth unemployment rate refers to those in the workforce who are aged 15 to 24 years and without a job, but actively seeking one. Generally, youth unemployment rates are higher than the adult unemployment rates, and India is no exception: youth unemployment in India is significantly higher than the national unemployment rate. The Indian workforce, young and oldIndia’s unemployment rate in general is not remarkably high when compared to those of other countries. Both India’s unemployment rate and youth unemployment rate are below their global equivalents. In a comparison of the Asia-Pacific region countries, India ranks somewhere in the middle, with Cambodia’s unemployment rate being estimated to be below one percent, and Afghanistan’s the highest at 8.8 percent.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15+ data was reported at 77.516 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 76.409 % for 2023. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 78.863 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2024, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 90.220 % in 1961 and a record low of 73.857 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15+ data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

India Population: Census: Female: Age: 20 to 24 Year data was reported at 53,839.529 Person th in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 43,443.000 Person th for 2001. India Population: Census: Female: Age: 20 to 24 Year data is updated yearly, averaging 43,443.000 Person th from Mar 1991 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 53,839.529 Person th in 2011 and a record low of 36,959.000 Person th in 1991. India Population: Census: Female: Age: 20 to 24 Year 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.GAD001: Census: Population: by Age Group.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15-24 data was reported at 46.672 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 44.672 % for 2023. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 50.832 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2024, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 73.990 % in 1981 and a record low of 41.795 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Male: Youth Adults: Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

Youth Unemployment Rate in India decreased to 22.90 percent in the first quarter of 2021 from 24.90 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020. This dataset provides - India Youth Unemployment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The growth in India's overall population is driven by its young population. Nearly ** percent of the country's population was between the ages of 15 and 64 years old in 2020. With over *** million people between 18 and 35 years old, India had the largest number of millennials and Gen Zs globally.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 36.770 % in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 37.493 % for 2023. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 31.211 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2024, with 14 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 38.940 % in 2001 and a record low of 22.039 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-24 data was reported at 16.901 % in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 17.455 % for 2023. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 17.444 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2024, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.810 % in 1981 and a record low of 9.968 % in 2018. India Labour Force Participation Rate: Female: Youth Adults: Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Labour Organization. The data is categorized under Global Database’s India – Table IN.ILO.LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: By Sex and Age: Annual.

The data shows the year-wise age, gender and cause-wise incidence of suicides in India between 2001 and 2015.

Note: Figures above includes all genderes including transgender.

The second National Family Health Survey (NFHS-2), conducted in 1998-99, provides information on fertility, mortality, family planning, and important aspects of nutrition, health, and health care. The International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) coordinated the survey, which collected information from a nationally representative sample of more than 90,000 ever-married women age 15-49. The NFHS-2 sample covers 99 percent of India's population living in all 26 states. This report is based on the survey data for 25 of the 26 states, however, since data collection in Tripura was delayed due to local problems in the state. IIPS also coordinated the first National Family Health Survey (NFHS-1) in 1992-93. Most of the types of information collected in NFHS-2 were also collected in the earlier survey, making it possible to identify trends over the intervening period of six and one-half years. In addition, the NFHS-2 questionnaire covered a number of new or expanded topics with important policy implications, such as reproductive health, women's autonomy, domestic violence, women's nutrition, anaemia, and salt iodization. The NFHS-2 survey was carried out in two phases. Ten states were surveyed in the first phase which began in November 1998 and the remaining states (except Tripura) were surveyed in the second phase which began in March 1999. The field staff collected information from 91,196 households in these 25 states and interviewed 89,199 eligible women in these households. In addition, the survey collected information on 32,393 children born in the three years preceding the survey. One health investigator on each survey team measured the height and weight of eligible women and children and took blood samples to assess the prevalence of anaemia. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS Three-quarters (73 percent) of the population lives in rural areas. The age distribution is typical of populations that have recently experienced a fertility decline, with relatively low proportions in the younger and older age groups. Thirty-six percent of the population is below age 15, and 5 percent is age 65 and above. The sex ratio is 957 females for every 1,000 males in rural areas but only 928 females for every 1,000 males in urban areas, suggesting that more men than women have migrated to urban areas. The survey provides a variety of demographic and socioeconomic background information. In the country as a whole, 82 percent of household heads are Hindu, 12 percent are Muslim, 3 percent are Christian, and 2 percent are Sikh. Muslims live disproportionately in urban areas, where they comprise 15 percent of household heads. Nineteen percent of household heads belong to scheduled castes, 9 percent belong to scheduled tribes, and 32 percent belong to other backward classes (OBCs). Two-fifths of household heads do not belong to any of these groups. Questions about housing conditions and the standard of living of households indicate some improvements since the time of NFHS-1. Sixty percent of households in India now have electricity and 39 percent have piped drinking water compared with 51 percent and 33 percent, respectively, at the time of NFHS-1. Sixty-four percent of households have no toilet facility compared with 70 percent at the time of NFHS-1. About three-fourths (75 percent) of males and half (51 percent) of females age six and above are literate, an increase of 6-8 percentage points from literacy rates at the time of NFHS-1. The percentage of illiterate males varies from 6-7 percent in Mizoram and Kerala to 37 percent in Bihar and the percentage of illiterate females varies from 11 percent in Mizoram and 15 percent in Kerala to 65 percent in Bihar. Seventy-nine percent of children age 6-14 are attending school, up from 68 percent in NFHS-1. The proportion of children attending school has increased for all ages, particularly for girls, but girls continue to lag behind boys in school attendance. Moreover, the disparity in school attendance by sex grows with increasing age of children. At age 6-10, 85 percent of boys attend school compared with 78 percent of girls. By age 15-17, 58 percent of boys attend school compared with 40 percent of girls. The percentage of girls 6-17 attending school varies from 51 percent in Bihar and 56 percent in Rajasthan to over 90 percent in Himachal Pradesh and Kerala. Women in India tend to marry at an early age. Thirty-four percent of women age 15-19 are already married including 4 percent who are married but gauna has yet to be performed. These proportions are even higher in the rural areas. Older women are more likely than younger women to have married at an early age: 39 percent of women currently age 45-49 married before age 15 compared with 14 percent of women currently age 15-19. Although this indicates that the proportion of women who marry young is declining rapidly, half the women even in the age group 20-24 have married before reaching the legal minimum age of 18 years. On average, women are five years younger than the men they marry. The median age at marriage varies from about 15 years in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh to 23 years in Goa. As part of an increasing emphasis on gender issues, NFHS-2 asked women about their participation in household decisionmaking. In India, 91 percent of women are involved in decision-making on at least one of four selected topics. A much lower proportion (52 percent), however, are involved in making decisions about their own health care. There are large variations among states in India with regard to women's involvement in household decisionmaking. More than three out of four women are involved in decisions about their own health care in Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Punjab compared with about two out of five or less in Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, and Rajasthan. Thirty-nine percent of women do work other than housework, and more than two-thirds of these women work for cash. Only 41 percent of women who earn cash can decide independently how to spend the money that they earn. Forty-three percent of working women report that their earnings constitute at least half of total family earnings, including 18 percent who report that the family is entirely dependent on their earnings. Women's work-participation rates vary from 9 percent in Punjab and 13 percent in Haryana to 60-70 percent in Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. FERTILITY AND FAMILY PLANNING Fertility continues to decline in India. At current fertility levels, women will have an average of 2.9 children each throughout their childbearing years. The total fertility rate (TFR) is down from 3.4 children per woman at the time of NFHS-1, but is still well above the replacement level of just over two children per woman. There are large variations in fertility among the states in India. Goa and Kerala have attained below replacement level fertility and Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab are at or close to replacement level fertility. By contrast, fertility is 3.3 or more children per woman in Meghalaya, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Nagaland, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. More than one-third to less than half of all births in these latter states are fourth or higher-order births compared with 7-9 percent of births in Kerala, Goa, and Tamil Nadu. Efforts to encourage the trend towards lower fertility might usefully focus on groups within the population that have higher fertility than average. In India, rural women and women from scheduled tribes and scheduled castes have somewhat higher fertility than other women, but fertility is particularly high for illiterate women, poor women, and Muslim women. Another striking feature is the high level of childbearing among young women. More than half of women age 20-49 had their first birth before reaching age 20, and women age 15-19 account for almost one-fifth of total fertility. Studies in India and elsewhere have shown that health and mortality risks increase when women give birth at such young ages?both for the women themselves and for their children. Family planning programmes focusing on women in this age group could make a significant impact on maternal and child health and help to reduce fertility. INFANT AND CHILD MORTALITY NFHS-2 provides estimates of infant and child mortality and examines factors associated with the survival of young children. During the five years preceding the survey, the infant mortality rate was 68 deaths at age 0-11 months per 1,000 live births, substantially lower than 79 per 1,000 in the five years preceding the NFHS-1 survey. The child mortality rate, 29 deaths at age 1-4 years per 1,000 children reaching age one, also declined from the corresponding rate of 33 per 1,000 in NFHS-1. Ninety-five children out of 1,000 born do not live to age five years. Expressed differently, 1 in 15 children die in the first year of life, and 1 in 11 die before reaching age five. Child-survival programmes might usefully focus on specific groups of children with particularly high infant and child mortality rates, such as children who live in rural areas, children whose mothers are illiterate, children belonging to scheduled castes or scheduled tribes, and children from poor households. Infant mortality rates are more than two and one-half times as high for women who did not receive any of the recommended types of maternity related medical care than for mothers who did receive all recommended types of care. HEALTH, HEALTH CARE, AND NUTRITION Promotion of maternal and child health has been one of the most important components of the Family Welfare Programme of the Government of India. One goal is for each pregnant woman to receive at least three antenatal check-ups plus two tetanus toxoid injections and a full course of iron and folic acid supplementation. In India, mothers of 65 percent of the children born in the three years preceding NFHS-2 received at least one antenatal