Population dynamics

• India has a population of almost 1.2 billion which is 17% of the world's population.
• India is the world's second most populated country after China
• India's population is currently growing at a rate of 1.6% per year. If this continues, it will have a population of 2 billion by 2040 and could surpass China as the world's most populated country if current growth rates continue.
• India's population growth is mainly due to high birth rates (22 per 1,000).
• Birth rates are high as there is a high regard for large families. Children are seen as a blessing and a sign of virility.
• Many poor people need children to help farm the land and care for them in old age.
• India is currently experiencing a natural increase as the death rate (6 per thousand) has fallen in recent years. This is due mostly to improvements in healthcare and sanitation.
• There are signs that the population growth is slowing as the Total Fertility Rate has decreased in recent years to 2.48 in 2015. This is the average number of children per woman.