WHAT?

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has released the State of World Population Report 2025 titled “The Real Fertility Crisis” and the India Ageing Report 2023.
 

It contains insights about size of India's population, it's birth rates, India’s demographic trends, fertility, ageing, reproductive health and many other aspects. Below is a concise summary of key insights from these reports.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

1. India Population Size: India’s population is estimated at 146.39 crore (1.46 billion) in April 2025, making it the world’s most populous country, surpassing China (141.61 crore). The population is projected to peak at around 170 crore in the early 2060s before gradually declining.
2. Total Fertility Rate (TFR): India’s TFR has declined to 1.9 births per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1, indicating a demographic transition toward population stabilization.  What is TFR? Click here to know. This drop is attributed to improved education, access to reproductive healthcare, and economic pressures. However, regional variations exist, with higher TFRs in states like Bihar (2.98), Meghalaya (2.9), Uttar Pradesh (2.35), Jharkhand (2.26), and Manipur (2.2).
3. Reproductive Challenges: The report emphasizes that the real crisis is not overpopulation or underpopulation but the inability of individuals to achieve their fertility goals. About 36% of adult Indians face unintended pregnancies, and 30% experience unfulfilled desires for having more or fewer children, with 23% facing both issues. Financial constraints (38%), job insecurity (21%), housing issues (22%), and lack of childcare (18%) are major barriers.
4. Life Expectancy: As of 2025, life expectancy is projected at 71 years for men and 74 years for women, reflecting improvements in healthcare.
5. Demographic Dividend: India’s population includes 68% in the working-age group (15–64 years), offering a potential demographic dividend if supported by employment and policy measures. The youth population (10–24 years) constitutes 26%, while the elderly (65+) make up 7%, expected to rise in the coming decades.
6. Reproductive Agency: The report advocates for greater reproductive autonomy, emphasizing access to contraception, safe abortion, maternal health, and infertility care. It calls for removing structural barriers (e.g., childcare, housing, job flexibility) and extending services to marginalized groups, including unmarried individuals and LGBTQIA+ communities.
7. Regional Disparities: India exhibits a “high fertility and low fertility duality.” States like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have higher fertility rates, while Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi have sustained below-replacement rates, reflecting disparities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
8. Elderly Population Growth: India’s elderly population (aged 60+) is growing rapidly at a decadal rate of 41%. By 2050, over 20% of the population will be elderly, surpassing the child population (0–15 years) by 2046. The 80+ population is projected to grow by 279% between 2022 and 2050, with a predominance of widowed and dependent women.
9. Economic Challenges: Over 40% of the elderly are in the poorest wealth quintile, with 18.7% lacking income, impacting their quality of life and healthcare access.
10. Gender and Regional Variations: Women have higher life expectancy at 60 (over 20 years in states like Rajasthan, Kerala, and Haryana), raising concerns about their social and economic well-being. The sex ratio among the elderly has increased since 1991, except in Union Territories and western India. Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu have higher elderly populations than the national average, while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh lag.

SUGGESTIONS

The report suggests enhancing geriatric care, promoting in-situ (at-home) ageing with facilities like day-care, and addressing poverty and healthcare access for the elderly.Progress in India: India has reduced maternal mortality by 78% between 2000 and 2023, with maternal deaths now accounting for 8% of global fatalities. This progress is linked to better access to maternal health services and efforts to address gender discrimination. However, inequalities persist across states, castes, and income groups.

The report urges India to prioritize reproductive rights over population control, improve data on unmet family planning needs, promote gender equality, and foster community initiatives to challenge stigma and enhance health literacy.

ABOUT UNFPA

Established in 1969, UNFPA is the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, operating in over 150 countries. It focuses on ensuring wanted pregnancies, safe childbirth, and fulfilling young people’s potential. It is funded by voluntary contributions and reports to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).