New Delhi, April 19 (). India has become the most populous country in the world. It has now overtaken China. This information has been revealed from the data of a new report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released on Wednesday.
According to UNFPA’s The State of World Population Report 2023, India’s population has reached 1,428.6 million (142.86 crore), while China’s is 1,425.7 million (142.57 crore), a difference of 2.9 million (2.9 million).
The United Nations had projected India to become the most populous country in 2022 itself.
Furthermore, the latest UNFPA report states that 25 percent of the population in India is in the 0-14 age group, 18 percent in the 10-19 age group, 26 percent in the 10-24 age group. About 68 percent of the population is in the 15-64 age group, while those above 65 make up just 7 percent.
China is doing better than India in terms of life expectancy, which is 82 years for females and 76 years for males. According to the report, this figure for India is 74 and 71.
UNFPA India representative Andrea Wojnar said in a statement: “The findings of the Indian survey suggest that population concerns have spread to large sections of the general public.”
Still, this should not cause any alarm, he said. Instead it should be seen as a symbol of progress, development and aspirations.
The report also highlighted the lack of women’s right to bodily autonomy.
The report said that 44 percent of women and girls in a list of 68 countries do not have the right to make their own decisions about sex, contraception and health care. Around 257 million women worldwide have unmet needs for safe, reliable contraception.
So many women lack control over their bodies, including their right to have children – to decide when and how many children they want, Poonam Muttreja, executive director of the Population Foundation of India, said in a statement.
In addition, early marriages continue to occur – one in four women in India is married before the age of 18.
Muttreja said, even though India has become the most populous country in the world, it must be ensured that comprehensive and equitable services are available to the people, irrespective of where they live or what section of the society they belong to. Also, we need to ensure that girls and women are not pushed for early marriage and pregnancy.
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