New Delhi. According to the United Nations data, the population of India has increased to 142.86 crore and it has become the most populous country in the world leaving behind China. According to the United Nations’ World Population Dashboard (forum), the population of China is 1425.7 million.
According to a new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 25 percent of India’s population is in the age group of 0-14 (years), 18 percent in the age group of 10 to 19, 26 percent in the age group of 10 to 24, 68 percent in the age group of 15 to 64 years. Another seven per cent of the population is above the age of 65. According to estimates by various agencies, India’s population is expected to keep growing for about three decades. The event will start only after it reaches 165 crores.
According to experts, the demographics of India differ from state to state. Kerala and Punjab have a large elderly population, while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have a large youth population. India’s 1.4 billion people should be seen as 1.4 billion opportunities, said Andrea Wojnar, United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) India representative and Bhutan’s country director. He said, “The youth (15 to 24 years age group) constitute the largest population of the country at 25.4 crore… It can be a source of innovation, fresh thinking and sustainable solutions.
Wojnar said gender equality, empowerment and ensuring that women and girls have the right they have over their own bodies is essential for a sustainable future. Individual rights and choices should be respected and everyone should be able to make decisions, she said. When (if) and how many children should be had. Women and girls should be at the center of sexual and reproductive policies and programmes, the UN official said. Only by truly respecting the rights, choices and common values of all people will we open the way to endless possibilities for the future.
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