The proportion of India’s population living in urban agglomerations with over one million residents has risen from 14.3% in 2014 to 16.6% in 2023, according to a research report by Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser at the State Bank of India (SBI).
Tamil Nadu remains the most urbanized state, with 54% of its population residing in urban areas, followed by Maharashtra at 48.8%, which leads in terms of the number of urban residents. At the other end of the spectrum, Himachal Pradesh (10.3%), Bihar (12.4%), Assam (15.7%), and Odisha (19.0%) remain the least urbanized states.
As urbanization has grown, the number of cities with populations exceeding one million has also increased. From just 18 such cities in the 1991 Census, this number rose to 52 by the 2011 Census. “We estimate that the 2024 Census will record 75-80 cities with populations exceeding one million, each facing its own set of challenges,” Ghosh notes.
While India’s median age is projected to rise from 24 years in 2021 to 28-29 years by 2023-24, the country remains one of the youngest in the world, with a median age below the global average, says Ghosh. “India compares favorably with China, whose median age is now 39.5 years, up from 34.5 years in 2011. This youthful demographic can be a significant driver of growth in the coming decade,” he adds.
In 2024, the proportion of children aged 0-14 is expected to fall to 24.3%, down from 30.9% in 2011, continuing a trend that began in 1971, according to SBI Research. Meanwhile, the share of elderly persons, which has been rising since 1951, is projected to reach 10.7% in 2024 and further increase to 13.1% by 2031.
Additionally, the working-age population (15-59) has been on an upward trajectory since 1971 and is projected to reach 64.4% in 2021, with a further increase to 65.2% anticipated by the 2031 Census. This growth in the working-age population is expected to positively impact the country’s productivity, with recent advancements in technology and infrastructure fostering new opportunities.
The Indian Census, the largest single source of statistical data on the population, has been conducted every 10 years since 1872, providing valuable insights into the nation’s demographics. Notably, the 2021 Census was the first to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
