10 Most Populous Countries in the World: India tops, Pakistan in top 5

India became the most populous country in the world, and now China is at number 2. Recently, the United Nations released a report in which it was stated that India is now officially the most populous country in the world with a population of 142.86 crore.

While the report stated that China’s population as compared to India is 142.57 crore, which is not very low, according to reports, the population gap between India and China will only widen until 2050. Now that we are the most populated country, we face a slew of issues in the next years.

India’s population is now greater than the entire population of the African and European continents. It was mentioned in the report that 25% of India’s population is in the age group of 0-14 years, 18% in the 10–19 age group, 26% in the age bracket of 10–24 years, 68.3% in the 15–64 age group, and 7% above 65 years.

10 Most Populous Countries in the World

Did you know that 23 million babies were born in India in 2022? But still, reports have stated that India’s fertility rate is decreasing. We all know that from now on, India will top the list of most populous countries, followed by China. So, here’s the list of the top 10 most populous countries in the world.

1. India

India is now the world’s most populous country, with a population of 142.86 crore people. In India, males have a life expectancy of 71 years and females have a life expectancy of 74 years. India also has a demographic edge in that 68% of the population is between the ages of 15 and 64, with only 7% being 65 or older.

2. China

After years of being one of the world’s most populous countries, China currently ranks second with a population of 142.57 crore. In China, the average life expectancy for males is 76 years and 82 years for females, with 14% of the population aged 65 and older.

3. United States of America

With a population of 340 million, the United States of America ranks third in the list of most populous countries world. The average life expectancy in the United States is 77 years for men and 82 years for women. It has 65% of its inhabitants between the ages of 15 and 64, and 18% between the ages of 65 and up.

4. Indonesia

Indonesia, the 14th largest country by land area, ranks fourth in population with 277.5 million people. In Indonesia, males have a life expectancy of 69 years and females have a life expectancy of 73 years. It has a population of 68% between the ages of 15 and 64, and 7% between the ages of 65 and older.

5. Pakistan

With a population of 240.5 million, India’s neighbouring country Pakistan ranks fifth in the globe. In Pakistan, males have a life expectancy of 65 years and females have a life expectancy of 70 years. While 60% of its population is between the ages of 15 and 65, only 4% are 65 or older.

6. Nigeria

With a population of 223.8 million people, Nigeria is the most populous country on the African continent. The average life expectancy in Nigeria is 54 years for both men and women. Only 3% of the population is over the age of 65, despite the fact that 54% of the population is between the ages of 15 and 64.

7. Brazil

Brazil is the largest country in South America, with a population of 216.4 million people. The average life expectancy in Brazil is 73 years for men and 79 years for women. Approximately 70% of the population is between the ages of 15 and 64, with 10% of the population being 65 or older.

8. Bangladesh

Another Indian neighbour, Bangladesh ranks eighth on the list with a population of 173 million people. Males in Bangladesh have an average life expectancy of 72 years, while females have an average life expectancy of 76 years.

9. Russia

The world’s largest country, Russia ranks eighth on the list of most populous countries, with a population of 144.4 million people. In Russia, males have a life expectancy of 70 years and females have a life expectancy of 79 years. It has 66% of its inhabitants between the ages of 15 and 64, and 16% between the ages of 65 and up.

10. Mexico

Mexico, home to the world’s largest pyramid, is tenth on the list with a population of 128.5 million people. Male and female life expectancy in Mexico is 72 and 78 years, respectively. While 67% of the population is between the ages of 15 and 64, 9% is 65 and older.

Factors that influence Population Growth

There are several factors that influence the demographics of a country’s or continent’s population. Now India has become the most populous country and Asia has become the most populous continent.

Fertility Rate

The average number of children that a potential group of women would have at the conclusion of their reproductive time if they were subjected to the fertility rates of a given period throughout their whole lives and were not subject to mortality. It is stated in terms of children per woman.

In 2023, India’s fertility rate will be 2.139 births per woman, a 0.93% decrease from 2022. India’s fertility rate in 2022 was 2.159 births per woman, a 0.92% decrease from 2021.

Infant Mortality Rate

The infant mortality rate (IMR) is the rate that defines the number of deaths of children under the age of 1. This rate also acts as a physical health indicator of the human community.

High IMR indicates that the country has poor health circumstances, as well as other criteria that play an important part in the development of the child’s health. This rate aids in understanding the causes and extent of infant mortality in a certain region.

Death Rate

The mortality rate, often known as the death rate, is the number of persons per thousand who die in an area in particular over a given time period, usually a year. A higher death rate reduces population size, whereas a lower population size suggests an increase in population size.

Challenges for India due to population growth

India’s resources are limited, and its population is growing at an alarming rate. In the coming years, India may face some of the most significant issues as a result of population expansion, such as unemployment, a deteriorating healthcare system, migration, and poverty.

To address these issues, India must increase its investment in the health sector. India hardly invests 1.3% of its GDP on healthcare sector. The family planning budget accounts for only 4% of the total health budget, with India spending only 1.5% on birth spacing measures.

The government should put more emphasis on delivering high-quality, free education. The Indian government must take the necessary steps to generate economic growth momentum by ensuring adequate investment in key infrastructure areas, particularly social infrastructure such as education, water, and health, so that a demographic dividend does not become a demographic liability for the country.

Our policymakers must consider population increase not only from a national viewpoint, but also from a state one, i.e., different states must be urged to take the required steps to control the population.

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