India’s Population: Past, Present and Future

This paper presents a lecture delivered by the author under The Pravin Visaria Public Lecture in GIDR. India has made considerable demographic progress since 1947; however it seems that the country’s population will reach about 1.4 billion by the year 2026. In case of mortality, despite major health problems, the average life expectancy will continue to rise during medium term future. Although India’s coming demographic expansion pose some challenges, it also carries significant benefit in the form of ‘demographic bonus ’. Urbanization is also expected to continue. Thus it seems that India’s prospects are significantly more upbeat over the medium term future.