UNFPA report: 24% of India's 144 crore population under 14 years old

In a recent report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India's population is estimated to reach 144 crores. In this, about 24 percent of the total population of India is in the age group of 0-14.

India's population projected to double in 77 year:

• UNFPA's 2024 report, "Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope," focuses on ending inequalities in sexual and reproductive health and rights. In this report, India's population has been estimated to double in 77 years.

India is the most populous country:

• According to the report, India is the most populous country globally with an estimated population of 144.17 crore. Whereas China is in second place with a population of 142.5 crores.
• During the last census conducted in 2011, India's population was recorded at 121 crore.

Number of people of different age groups in India:

• UNFPA in its report has estimated the number of people falling under different age groups in India. According to this, in India-
  • Under 0-14 years age group – 24%
  • Under 10-19 years age group – 17%
  • Under 10-24 years age group – 26%
  • Under the age group of 15-64 years – 68%
  • Age 65 and above – 7%
• The life expectancy of men is 71 years.
• The average life expectancy for women is 74 years.

Highlights of UNFPA report regarding India's population:

• Child marriage in India was 23 percent between 2006 and 2023.
• Maternal deaths in India have significantly decreased, although it still accounts for 8% of global maternal deaths. This is mainly attributed to better access to affordable and quality maternal health services.
• Yet India continues to see dramatic disparities in maternal mortality risk.
• The risk of maternal mortality is 70 per 100,000 live births. But in 114 districts the ratio is still 210 or more.
• Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district, with a high proportion of indigenous people, records the highest maternal mortality rate at 1,671 deaths per 100,000 births.
• Improvements in health care access have primarily benefited wealthier women and people belonging to ethnic groups who already had better access to health care.
• People at the margins of society also face unequal access to sexual and reproductive health care.

About United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA):

• UNFPA is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations General Assembly, acting as its sexual and reproductive health agency.
• UNFPA's mandate is established by the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
• UNFPA was established as a trust fund in 1967 and began operations in 1969.