UNFPA on India’s Population

General Studies Paper -3

Context: According to a recent report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India’s population is estimated to have reached 1.44 billion, with 24% in the 0-14 age bracket.

About

• The UNFPA’s State of World Population – 2024 report, titled ‘Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’, revealed that India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.
• India leads globally with an estimated population of 1.44 billion, followed by China at 1.425 billion.
  • India’s population was recorded at 1.21 billion during the last census, conducted in 2011.
• Demographic Categorisation in India:
  • An estimated 24% of India’s population is aged 0-14, while 17% is within the 10-19 age range.
  • The segment aged 10-24 is estimated to constitute 26%, with the 15-64 age group making up 68%.
  • Additionally, 7% of India’s population is aged 65 years and above, with men having a life expectancy of 71 years and women 74 years.

Key Takeaways from the Report

• Progress in Sexual and Reproductive Health: Over the past 30 years, significant strides have been made in fulfilling the International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD) agenda.
  • The global rate of unintended pregnancies has fallen by nearly 20% globally.
  • The number of women using modern contraceptive methods has doubled.
  • At least 162 countries have adopted laws against domestic violence, and maternal deaths have decreased by 34% since 2000.
• Persistent Inequalities: Despite the progress, millions are still denied their health and rights every day.
  • Gender-based violence remains rampant in practically every country and community.
  • There has been zero reduction in maternal mortality since 2016, and in an alarming number of countries, the rates are rising.
  • Nearly half of women still are unable to make decisions about their own bodies.
• Marginalised Groups: The report shows that although women across socioeconomic classes and ethnicities say barriers to health care have come down over time, the women most marginalised have experienced the least improvement.
  • Women of African descent are found to be more vulnerable to obstetric mistreatment and negative maternal health outcomes.
  • Indigenous women are often denied culturally appropriate maternal health care, and their own childbirth practices may be criminalised, resulting in significantly higher risk of death in pregnancy and childbirth.

Key concerns highlighted in the report

• Discrimination and Stigma: The report highlights the role racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination continue to play in blocking broad gains in sexual and reproductive health for women and girls.
  • Women and girls with disabilities face up to 10 times more gender-based violence while also facing higher barriers to sexual and reproductive information and care.
  • LGBTQIA+ people face serious health disparities in addition to – and as a result of – discrimination and stigma.
• Health and Social Challenges: The report has found that 30 years of progress in sexual and reproductive health has mostly ignored the most marginalised communities worldwide.
  • According to it, the child marriage percentage in India was at 23% between 2006-2023.
  • The maternal deaths in India have fallen considerably, accounting for 8% of all such fatalities worldwide.
  • However, the report noted that India continues to see inequities in maternal death risk.

Conclusion and Way Forward

• The report suggests that to fulfil the promise of universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, one needs to root out inequalities from our health systems and policies and focus as a priority on those women and young people who are most marginalized and excluded.
• On the other hand, the large young population presents a significant opportunity for economic growth and development.
  • However, it also underscores the need for continued efforts in improving health and social outcomes, particularly for the most marginalised communities.