Reports and Indices
UN demographic report
▪ The report title – “State of the World Population 2025: The Real Fertility Crisis”.
▪ India’s Current Population (April 2025): Estimated at 146.39 crore (UNFPA report).
▪ Fertility Rate (TFR): Declined to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1.
✓ Replacement level TFR means each generation can replace itself without
population decline.
▪ Population Projection Peak: Expected to peak at 170 crore in the next 40 years, followed by a
gradual decline.
▪ India vs China: India referred to as the “world’s most populous nation”, with China’s current
population at 141.61 crore.
▪ Life Expectancy (2025 projection): Men: 71 years & Women: 74 years
▪ Youth Demographics: 0–14 years: 24% ; 10–19 years: 17% ; 10–24 years: 26%
▪ Working-Age Population (15–64 years): Makes up 68% of total population.
▪ Elderly Population (65+): Currently 7%, expected to increase due to rising life expectancy.
▪ Reproductive Agency Focus: The report highlights that the real crisis is not overpopulation or
under population, but the lack of reproductive agency — the ability to make informed choices
about reproduction.
▪ Census Update: The decennial Census, delayed from 2021, is now scheduled to be completed by March 2027.
▪ According to the latest Sample Registration System statistical report published by the Office of the Registrar General of India for 2021, the TFR in India was 2.0, the same as the year before, with the report saying that the replacement level TFR “has been attained” nationally.
▪ The TFR measures the number of children a woman is expected to have throughout her
reproductive age.
