India to become world's most populous country by mid-2023: UN
What's the story
India is on the cusp of becoming the world's most populous country by mid-2023, the data released by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) showed on Wednesday. According to the UNFPA's The State of World Population Report, 2023, India would surpass China by adding 2.9 million more people. India's population would be 1,428.6 million, while China's would stand at 1,425.7 million.
More information
China's population reached peak in 2022: UNFPA
Notably, this is the first time that India would overtake China since the UN began collecting and releasing population data in 1950. Anna Jefferys, media and crisis communications advisor, UNFPA, told the Hindustan Times, "China's population reached its peak last year and started to decline and while India's population is growing, its rate of population growth has been declining since 1980."
Details
India's 68% population in 15-64 age group
According to the report, 25% of India's population is in the age group of 0-14, 18% in 10-19, 26% in 10-24, 68% in 15-64, and 7% above 65. The corresponding figures for China are 17%, 12%, 18%, 69%, and 14%. Furthermore, the average life expectancy in China is 82 for women and 76 for men. In India, the numbers are 74 and 71.
More information
Impossible to predict the exact date, says UN
The report also revealed that India and China will account for over one-third of the estimated global population of 8.045 billion. Notably, population experts previously predicted that India would overtake China this month. However, the UN body did not specify when the changes would occur. Per the UN, it is impossible to predict the exact date because India's last census was conducted in 2011.