Demographics of India

Demographics of India refers to the statistical study of the population of India, including its growth, density, and distribution. As of 2021, India is the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion people. The country's population has been characterized by rapid growth over the past century and a young population compared to other major economies.

Population

The population of India has grown rapidly over the past century, from 238.4 million in 1901 to over 1.3 billion in 2021. The population growth rate has been declining since the 1980s due to decreasing fertility rates.

Ethnic groups

India is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, with the majority of the population belonging to the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian ethnic groups. Other significant ethnic groups include the Austroasiatic and Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups.

Languages

India recognizes 22 official languages, including Hindi and English. However, the country is linguistically diverse, with several hundred languages spoken.

Religion

Religion in India is characterized by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. The majority of Indians practice Hinduism, followed by Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

Age structure

India has a young population, with a median age of 27.1 years in 2020. The country has a high proportion of young people, with over half the population under the age of 25.

Urbanization

India is undergoing rapid urbanization, with the urban population growing faster than the rural population. However, a majority of the population still lives in rural areas.

Literacy

The literacy rate in India has been increasing over the past few decades, with a literacy rate of 74.04% as per the 2011 census.

See also

• Demographics of Asia
• List of states and union territories of India by population