India Becomes World's Most Populous Country

With 142.86 crore people…


New Delhi: On Wednesday, 19 April 2023, India became the world's most populous country, overtaking China, data released by the United Nations showcased.

According to UN estimates, India's population is 142.86 crore against China's 142.57 crores.

India has topped the UN list of most populous countries since 1950.

The number of people in China reduced last year for the first time since 1960; when millions died under the agricultural policies of former leader Mao Zedong.

China also faces a demographic decline as birth rates plunge and its workforce ages.

Several regions have also announced plans to boost birth rates but official efforts have so far failed to reverse the decline.

India has no official data on how many people it has as it has not conducted a census since 2011.

India's once-in-a-decade census was due to be held in 2021 but was delayed due to the covid-19 pandemic.

 

The Brief. Sign up to receive the top stories you need to know right now.