Quick facts
India population overview
India is the most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 1,470,296,523 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 34,619 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 22,936,626 births (15.6 per 1,000 people) and 9,850,987 deaths (6.7 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 441,089 people. The infant mortality rate is 20.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 435,990,338 in 1960 to 1,463,865,525 in 2025 — a change of +235.8%, or +1.9% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 29.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 72.7 years; women have on average 2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 24.2% of residents are under 15 and 7.4% are 65 or older (2025); 35.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is New Delhi. India covers 3,287,260 km², giving a population density of about 450 people per km². GDP was $3.96T in 2025 — about $2,702 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
India population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,480,380,226 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,470,296,523 |
| World rank | #1 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #1 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 17.9% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.9% |
| Births per year est. | 22,936,626 |
| Deaths per year est. | 9,850,987 |
| Net migration per year est. | -441,089 |
| Birth rate | 15.6 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 20.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 106.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 29.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 72.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 35.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 3,287,260 km² |
| Population density | 450 per km² |
| Capital | New Delhi |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $3.96T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $2,702 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
India population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,480,380,226 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,463,865,525 | +12,929,734 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | 1,450,935,791 | +12,866,195 | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 1,438,069,596 | +12,646,384 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 1,425,423,212 | +11,219,316 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 1,414,203,896 | +11,586,201 | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 1,402,617,695 | +74,593,197 | +1.1% |
| 2015 | 1,328,024,498 | +84,542,934 | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 1,243,481,564 | +88,805,242 | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 1,154,676,322 | +96,753,589 | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 1,057,922,733 | +97,621,689 | +2% |
| 1995 | 960,301,044 | +95,328,823 | +2.1% |
| 1990 | 864,972,221 | +92,324,428 | +2.3% |
| 1985 | 772,647,793 | +85,293,768 | +2.4% |
| 1980 | 687,354,025 | +76,044,490 | +2.4% |
| 1975 | 611,309,535 | +65,445,267 | +2.3% |
| 1970 | 545,864,268 | +55,724,122 | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 490,140,146 | +54,149,808 | +2.4% |
| 1960 | 435,990,338 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About India
Population over time
- From 435,990,338 in 1960 to 1,480,380,226 today — up 239.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 72.2 years (2024), up 26.6 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 16 births vs 6.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 9.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 24.2% of the population is under 15 and 7.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 3,153.8 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 2.17 t in 2024, vs 0.39 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 763.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 135.8% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 34.9% of final energy in 2021 (-18.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 24.5% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 21.5% to 24.5% since 1990 — roughly 99,741 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 35.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 17.9% in 1960 (+17.8 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 44.8% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,014 m³ in 2022, down 68.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $3.96T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 88.1% since 2015.
- That works out to $2,702 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 2.4% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 70% of people used the internet in 2025.
- Mobile subscriptions: 79.4 per 100 people (2024).
India in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of India in 2026?
As of October 2026, India has an estimated population of 1,480,380,226. The United Nations estimated 1,470,296,523 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of India growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.9% per year — roughly 34,619 more people every day. Each year there are about 22,936,626 births and 9,850,987 deaths, with net migration of -441,089.
What is the population density of India?
About 450 people per square kilometre: 1,480,380,226 people living on 3,287,260 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in India?
The median age is 29.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 72.7 years. 24.2% of the population is under 15 and 7.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does India rank by population?
India is the 1st most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 1st in Asia, with 17.9% of the global population.
How has the population of India changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 435,990,338; by 2025 it had grown to 1,463,865,525 (+235.8%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
China
Indonesia
Pakistan
Bangladesh
United States
Nigeria
Brazil
RussiaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.