Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
India - Statistics & Facts
India, the world’s most populated country, is now home to an estimated over 1.4 billion people and the fourth-largest economy globally. The country’s geography is as diverse as its culture. Occupying the bulk of the South Asian subcontinent, the country hosts various geographical features. It spans from the Himalayan mountains in the north, plains of Ganga and Indus, the arid Thar Desert in the west to the southern peninsula, boasting a spectacular coastline. People from at least six different religions live in the country, and while the nation has hundreds of languages, over 22 are officially recognized by the government.
India presents a panorama of stark contrasts, where booming economic growth is coupled with stark inequalities, towering skyscrapers are surrounded by sprawling slums, and modern values coexist with caste-based and social divisions.
Post-independence political system
The Republic of India was established in January 1950, after gaining independence from the British Empire in 1947. Since then, India has existed as a federal republic consisting of 28 states and eight union territories. The country’s parliamentary democracy is the largest in the world and has become increasingly federal since the late 1990s because of social, political, and economic changes. The multi-party system hosts six national and more than 55 state parties. Elections generally take place every five years. The prime minister leads the government, while the president fulfils more ceremonial role as the head of state. In 2024, BJP-led NDA coalition came to power for the third consecutive time.Demographic transformation
India has a demographic advantage of a relatively young population and a median age of 28.8 years. However, harnessing this dividend requires solving challenges such as unemployment, shortcomings in skilling, and healthcare. Even though India’s population has grown steadily, the fertility rate is declining and will soon fall below replacement level (2.1 children per woman). Economic considerations, such as the cost of raising children; increased education levels for women, giving them more control over their reproductive choices, and changing societal norms have played a role in reducing fertility rates and the desire for smaller family units. In terms of geographical distribution of population, over 900 million Indians live in rural areas; however, urbanization has grown in the last decades.Anatomy of the fourth-largest economy
The country is a mixed economy leveraging private and public sectors, with GDP, estimated at over four trillion U.S. dollars and a global GDP contribution of over eight percent. The growing demand for goods and services fosters new business opportunities, in turn, creating a cycle of economic growth. And with the rise of urban centers, infrastructure development has also become a cornerstone of India’s growth strategy. Although the services sector contributes largely to the country’s GDP, most of the workforce is employed within the agriculture sector. Despite this, agriculture is the lowest contributor to the country’s GDP. Although the country has made strides in eradicating poverty, a wide wealth and income gap persists. The top 10 percent’s share in wealth is as high as 60 percent.India presents a panorama of stark contrasts, where booming economic growth is coupled with stark inequalities, towering skyscrapers are surrounded by sprawling slums, and modern values coexist with caste-based and social divisions.
