India has a population of approximately 1.45 billion people in 2025, making it the most populous country in the world. In April 2023 India overtook China to claim the top spot, and it now accounts for roughly one in every six people alive on Earth.
How Many People Live in India?
India's 2025 population is estimated at around 1,450,000,000. To put that figure in perspective, India holds more people than the entire continents of Europe and North America combined, and more than all of the Americas put together. It is one of only two nations to ever cross the 1.4 billion mark, the other being China.
What makes the number even more striking is the land it occupies. India covers about 3.29 million km², roughly a third the size of China or the United States, yet it supports a comparable or larger population. The result is a population density of about 441 people per square kilometre, far higher than the global average. Even so, that density is lower than smaller, more crowded nations such as Bangladesh, South Korea or the Netherlands.
Population Growth and Future Projections
India's population is currently growing at roughly 0.89% per year, adding about 12 million people annually. That is a moderate pace by global standards and a dramatic slowdown from the early 1980s, when growth exceeded 2% a year. The total fertility rate has fallen to around 2.0 births per woman, just below the replacement level of 2.1.
Despite slowing fertility, India is not about to shrink. A phenomenon called population momentum, where a large young generation reaches childbearing age, means the country will keep growing for decades. Demographers project India's population could peak near 1.65 to 1.7 billion around the early 2060s before gradually declining. The pace varies sharply by region: southern states such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu already have below-replacement fertility, while northern states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh continue to grow more quickly.
A Young Nation and Its Demographic Dividend
One of the most important features of India's population is its youth. The median age is roughly 28 years, among the lowest of any major economy and far younger than China (about 39) or Japan (about 49). This means a vast share of Indians are entering or already in their working years.
Economists call this a demographic dividend. By around 2030, India is expected to have the world's largest working-age population, with more than a billion people aged 15 to 64. If this generation is educated and employed productively, it could power decades of economic expansion. The challenge is creating enough jobs and schools to match the scale of the opportunity.
Where Indians Live: Cities and States
India remains predominantly rural, with roughly two-thirds of its people living outside major cities, but urbanisation is accelerating. The largest urban agglomerations are enormous by any measure:
- Delhi (NCR): Over 32 million people across the National Capital Region, one of the largest metropolitan areas on Earth.
- Mumbai: India's financial capital, home to more than 21 million in its metro area and generating a significant share of national GDP.
- Bengaluru (Bangalore): India's technology hub, with over 13 million residents and the densest cluster of IT firms in Asia.
At the state level, the numbers are staggering. Uttar Pradesh alone has more than 240 million residents, which would make it the world's seventh-most populous country if it were independent, ahead of Brazil. Maharashtra and Bihar each exceed 120 million.
Diversity, Language and Religion
India's population is extraordinarily diverse. The constitution recognises 22 scheduled languages, and hundreds more dialects are spoken across the country. Hindi and English serve as the official languages of the central government, while states use their own regional tongues. Hinduism is practised by about 80% of the population, with substantial Muslim (around 14%), Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Jain communities. This blend of faiths, languages and ethnic groups makes India one of the most culturally varied societies in the world. To explore the wider context of geography, regions and culture, see our india country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is India the most populous country in the world?
Yes. India became the world's most populous country in April 2023 when it surpassed China, and in 2025 it holds an estimated 1.45 billion people, the largest of any nation.
When will India's population stop growing?
Projections suggest India's population will continue rising until around the early 2060s, peaking somewhere between 1.65 and 1.7 billion before slowly declining as fertility stays below replacement level.
What is the population density of India?
India has roughly 441 people per square kilometre. While that is well above the world average, it is lower than several smaller countries such as Bangladesh, South Korea and the Netherlands.
Why is India's population so young?
Decades of high birth rates followed by improving health and life expectancy produced a large generation now entering adulthood. With a median age near 28, India enjoys a demographic dividend and is set to have the world's largest working-age population by 2030.