Mumbai, India (CU)_ According to an estimation by the United Nations, India would overtake China as the country with the world’s largest population in 2023. The latest analysis predicts that India’s population would increase from its current 1.4 billion to 1.67 billion by 2050, slightly under 1.7 billion by 2064, and 1.53 billion by 2100. According to UN demographic estimates, India and China, with over 1.4 billion population each, account for the lion’s share of Asia’s population.
According to the report, India’s overall fertility rate is projected to decline from the current 2.01 to 1.78 in 2050 and 1.69 in 2100. This is far lower than the current global average of 2.3. In addition, the analysis reports that the number of births in India among women in the age group 15 to 19 might plummet from the present 988,000 to 282,000 by the year 2050. This number is projected to decrease to 132,000 by the year 2100.
According to Debanjana Choudhuri, activist for gender equality and climate change, “The most important outcome of knowing these estimates is, how will governments step up in their investment on sexual and reproductive access and take proactive steps to address climate change and look out for the vulnerable and marginalised sections of the society.”
According to Debanjana Choudhuri, men and women must share the burden of contraception. She said, “Women and girls have long borne the burden of contraception and family planning and are the worst sufferers of the impacts of climate change.” She stated that India needs more comprehensive talks, investments, and additional initiatives regarding sexuality education, the prevention of child marriages, and safeguarding women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence.
In conclusion, the report stated, “Future predictions of demographic figures may not be able to take into account water shortages, realities of upcoming issues and impacts of pandemics like COVID 19.” It added, “We are looking at a future of water shortages, climate change as well as a possible change in migration patterns all of which would affect a population”.
