Singapore’s population is projected to shrink within the next decade if current trends continue, leading to a potential decline in the workforce and economic activity. This demographic shift, driven by an increasing death rate and declining birth rate, could pose challenges to the city-state’s future economic growth and social well-being.
Iraq will impose a two-day curfew in November for its first census in 27 years. The census, postponed several times due to conflict and tensions, is crucial for accurate demographic information and effective policymaking. The government has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for this initiative.
India’s population is expected to reach 152.2 crore by 2036, with a slight increase in the female percentage. The report ‘Women and Men in India 2023’ also highlights positive trends in gender equality, declining fertility rates, improved maternal and infant mortality, and rising female labor force participation. The report suggests a more gender-balanced and developed India in the coming years.
India’s population is projected to peak at 1.7 billion in the early 2060s and then decline, but it will remain the world’s most populous country for the entire century, according to a new UN report. China’s population, on the other hand, is expected to decline significantly, with a projected loss of over half its current population by 2100.
Delhi is projected to become the world’s most populous city by 2028, according to the United Nations World Urbanisation Prospects report. The report also highlights that India will reach its peak population by 2062 and will remain the most populous country until the end of the century.
This article examines India’s population dynamics in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Despite significant progress in reducing fertility, mortality, and poverty, challenges remain in areas like gender equality, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases. The article emphasizes the need for understanding India’s changing demographics to create policies that ensure equitable and sustainable development.
Germany’s working-age population is projected to decrease by 2% by 2045, raising concerns about growth constraints in Europe’s largest economy. Despite an overall population increase due to migration, the shrinking workforce coupled with an aging population poses significant challenges for the German economy.
Media reports and political rhetoric have misconstrued findings from the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) working paper on religious minorities, leading to sensationalized claims about the growth of the Muslim population in India. These interpretations fuel a divisive narrative that obscures the truth. The paper’s assertion that the growth in the Muslim population indicates a thriving minority community is flawed. Fertility rates are influenced by socio-economic factors, and a high population growth rate highlights shortcomings in human development. The EAC-PM study relies on the RCS-DEM dataset, which provides limited context. A more comprehensive analysis reveals that the absolute increase in the Hindu population between 1950 and 2015 was significantly higher than that of the Muslim population. The marginal decline in the Hindu population’s proportion or increase in the Muslim population’s proportion is not a cause for concern, given the initial population disparity. The EAC-PM study’s focus on the rate of change in shares is misleading, as it fails to account for the initial population proportions. A decline in the rate of change for a small population group, such as Parsis, does not imply persecution.
Major metropolitan cities in India, such as Delhi and Bangalore, struggle with various urban issues, including severe pollution, traffic congestion, overpopulation, and water shortages. Additionally, cities like Delhi face the notorious problem of crimes against women. The liveability of these cities has become a topic of concern, sparking a debate on social media.
A report released by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PM-EAC) has sparked controversy, claiming that religious minorities in India are safe and face no discrimination. However, critics argue that the report’s findings are based on outdated data and overlook key demographic trends. The issue of Muslim population growth has become a focal point, with some raising concerns about the ‘population jihad’ and the potential threat to the Hindu majority. However, demographers dismiss these fears, citing declining fertility rates and educational improvements among Muslims. The report’s use of population growth as an indicator of well-being is also questioned, as higher fertility rates are often associated with illiteracy and economic backwardness. Experts emphasize that the status of religious minorities should be assessed based on their access to education, social welfare, and representation in power structures. While India boasts a large Muslim population, their fertility rates are declining and are projected to stabilize in the future. Therefore, fears of Hindus becoming a minority are unfounded.
