India’s population Reaches 1.46 billion, Fertility Drops Below Replacement Rate: UN Report

In 2025, India’s population is estimated to reach 1.46 billion, making it the most populous country in the world. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), this number is expected to peak at 1.7 billion in the early 2060s and then slowly start to decline.

Drop in Fertility Rate

The report says that India’s total fertility rate (TFR) has now dropped to 1.9 births per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This means Indian women are having fewer children than needed to maintain the population size from one generation to the next, without migration.

What the UN Report Says?

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released its 2025 State of World Population (SOWP) Report, titled ”The Real Fertility Crisis.’‘ It explains that the world should not panic about falling fertility rates but focus on helping people meet their personal family goals.

Fertility Rate Falls Below Replacement Level

India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is now 1.9 births per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This means women in India are, on average, having fewer children than needed to keep the population stable in the long term.

India’s Population Will Peak Around 2064

According to the UN, India’s population is expected to peak around the early 2060s at about 1.7 billion. After that, it will begin to slowly decline. As of now, India’s population stands at 1.4639 billion.

India’s Changing Population Structure

India’s population is going through big changes:

• 24% of people are aged 0-14 years
• 17% are aged 10-19 years
• 26% are aged 10-24 years
• 68% of the population is in the working age group (15-64)

This gives India a chance to benefit from a demographic dividend – where more people can work and grow the economy, if given good jobs and policies.

Growing Elderly Population

Currently, 7% of the population is aged 65 and above, and this number will rise as life expectancy increases.

Life expectancy in 2025:

• Men: 71 years
• Women: 74 years

How Fertility Has Changed Over time?

In 1960, India’s population was about 436 million and the average woman had nearly six children. Most women then had little control over their bodies and very few used contraception or went to school.

But over time, things improved:

• More girls went to school
• Access to reproductive healthcare increased
• Women gained more voice in decisions

Now, Indian women have about two children on average, a major drop from past decades.

Still a Long Way to Go

While Indian women today have more rights and choices than earlier generations, many still do not have full control over their reproductive decisions. Deep differences remain between rich and poor and across states and communities.

A Message of Hope and Opportunities

Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA’s India Representative, said that India has made great progress, especially in lowering fertility and saving mother’s lives.

But the real success, she says, will come when everyone, no matter who they are, has the power to make informed choices about having children. India has a unique chance to lead the world in showing how reproductive rights and economic growth can go hand in hand.