Context:
State of World Population 2024 report released
State of World Population:
- Report published annually by – United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- Covers and analyses developments and trends in world population and demographics
Key Findings of 2024 Report:
- India leads globally with an estimated population of 144.17 crore, followed by China
- India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.
- 68% of India’s population belongs to age group of 15- 64 years, followed by 10-24 years group (26%)
- India’s Total Fertility Rate (births per woman in reproductive age) is estimated at 2.0.
- In India, life expectancy at birth is estimated at 71 and 74 years for men and women respectively.
- Child marriage rates in India was 23% between 2006- 2023.
- Progress in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) has mostly ignored the most marginalized communities.
UNFPA:
- Subsidiary organ of the UN General Assembly and works as a sexual and reproductive health agency.
- Its mandate is established by United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
- Established in – 1967
- Headquarters – New York, USA
- Objective – Works to tackle Sustainable Development Goals on health (SDG3), education (SDG4) and gender equality (SDG5)
- Funding – Entirely supported by voluntary contributions
Source: UNFPA
Previous Year Question
India is regarded as a country with a “Demographic Dividend”. This is due to:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2011 Prelims]
(a) Its high population in the age group below 15 years
(b) Its high population in the age group of 15-64 years
(c) Its high population in the age group above 65 years
(d) Its high total population
Answer: (b)
