Amaravati, March 19, 2026: India's population will grow modestly to about 1.59 billion by 2051, but the era of rapid youth expansion ends soon.
Projections show the working-age group (15-59) reaching a high of around 1 billion in 2041 before a gradual decline, closing the demographic dividend window after that point.
The elderly population (60+) is expected to surge from roughly 10% now to over 20% by mid-century, raising demands on healthcare, pensions, and social systems.
Southern states like Andhra Pradesh lead this transition with faster ageing. The state's fertility rate stands at 1.5 well below the 2.1 replacement level prompting a new population management policy with incentives for second and third children, plus focus on elderly care and women's workforce participation.
