India’s Growing Working-Age Population and Upcoming Census Insights
India’s working-age population, those aged 15-59, has been increasing since 1971. According to a report by SBI Research, this group is projected to reach 64.4% in the upcoming Census and 65.2% by 2031. The average annual population growth is slowing, expected to decline from 2.20% in 1971 to 1.00% in 2024, placing the national population between 138-142 crore in 2024.
Regional growth trends show that southern states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana will see a decline in population growth, while northern states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar will drive growth. The North and Eastern regions are expected to account for 52% of the total population.
The Census, which provides essential socio-economic and demographic data, was last conducted in 2011 and delayed in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming Census will offer insights into a rapidly changing, digital-heavy India.
According to the report by Soumya Kanti Ghosh, the proportion of children aged 0-14 years is projected to be 24.3% in 2024, down from 30.9% in 2011. The elderly population, those aged 60 and above, has been increasing since 1951 and is expected to reach 10.7% in 2024 and 13.1% by 2031.
India’s working-age population is expected to exceed 100 crores by 2030, contributing significantly to the global workforce. Despite an increase in the median age from 24 years in 2021 to 28-29 years in 2023-24, India remains one of the youngest nations globally.
India’s urban population is also on the rise. In 2011, 31.1% of the population lived in urban areas, a figure expected to increase to 35-37% in the 2024 Census. The number of cities with over a million residents has grown from 18 in 1991 to 52 in 2011, and is projected to reach 75-80 by 2024.
Doubts Revealed
working-age population -: This means the number of people who are old enough to work, usually between 15 and 64 years old.
Census -: A Census is when the government counts all the people in the country and collects information about them, like their age, where they live, and what they do.
SBI Research -: SBI Research is a part of the State Bank of India that studies and provides information about the economy and other important topics.
regional population growth trends -: This means how the number of people living in different parts of the country is changing over time.
northern states -: These are states in the northern part of India, like Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Bihar.
COVID-19 -: COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus that spread around the world, making many people sick and causing delays in many activities.
socio-economic planning -: This is when the government makes plans to improve the economy and the well-being of people, like building schools and hospitals.
share of children -: This means the percentage of the population that is made up of children.
elderly population -: This means the number of older people, usually those who are 65 years old and above.
urban population -: This means the number of people living in cities and towns.
over a million residents -: This means cities that have more than one million people living in them.
