India Tops World Population at 1.46 Billion Amid Falling Fertility: UNFPA Report Warns of Shifting Demographic Priorities

New Delhi, June 10, 2025 — India has officially become the world’s most populous country with a population of 1.4639 billion, surpassing all other nations, according to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) latest State of World Population Report 2025. The milestone, however, comes with a striking demographic caveat: India’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.9, significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman.

While this demographic feat places India at the forefront of global population charts, the report signals a shift in the country’s growth trajectory. Projections suggest that India’s population may rise modestly to about 1.7 billion by the early 2060s before plateauing or entering a decline. The implications, experts caution, will be far-reaching across economic, health, and social policy spheres.

The report outlines a detailed age profile of India’s current population, with 24% under the age of 14 and a substantial 68% within the working-age group (15–64 years), presenting an opportunity to harness a demographic dividend. However, the proportion of elderly citizens (aged 65 and above) is steadily increasing, now at 7%, posing future challenges for healthcare and social security infrastructure.

UNFPA India Representative Andrea M. Wojnar emphasized that India’s fertility transition from nearly five births per woman in 1970 to fewer than two today reflects strides in education, healthcare, and family planning. She stressed, however, that inequalities persist and must be addressed through policies that respect individual reproductive rights and expand access to essential services.

The study calls for a recalibration of policy focus from controlling fertility rates to fulfilling unmet reproductive goals and ensuring freedom of choice. It also highlights the importance of creating employment opportunities, investing in youth and women’s health, and preparing for an aging population that will eventually place new demands on the nation’s welfare systems.

India’s demographic future, the report argues, must be met with proactive and inclusive policymaking. A window of opportunity exists, but only with strategic planning and equitable development can India convert its population advantage into long-term socioeconomic resilience.