By 2036, India’s population is projected to reach 152.2 crore, with the female percentage slightly rising to 48.8% from 48.5% in 2011, according to a report released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) on Monday.
The report, titled ‘Women and Men in India 2023,’ anticipates a decrease in the proportion of individuals under 15 years of age due to declining fertility rates, while the proportion of those aged 60 and above is expected to increase significantly.
The sex ratio, which measures the number of females per 1,000 males, is projected to improve from 943 in 2011 to 952 by 2036, reflecting a positive trend towards gender equality. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of gender-related data, covering areas such as population, education, health, economic participation, and decision-making, with a focus on urban-rural and regional disparities.
“Gender statistics are essential for promoting and assessing gender equality. They provide benchmarks for progress and highlight the similarities and differences between men and women,” the report stated.
It also noted that from 2016 to 2020, the age-specific fertility rates (ASFR) for women aged 20-24 and 25-29 decreased from 135.4 and 166.0 to 113.6 and 139.6, respectively. Conversely, the ASFR for the 35-39 age group increased from 32.7 to 35.6, indicating that women are considering expanding their families later in life.
The adolescent fertility rate was 33.9 among illiterate women compared to 11.0 among literate women in 2020. The rate was also lower for those with some education but no formal schooling (20.0), underscoring the importance of women’s education, according to the report.