The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released its State of World Population-2019 report, which provided key insights about the global population trends between 2010 and 2019. The report revealed that India’s population has been growing at a rate of 1.2% annually, which is double the growth rate of China. This comes as the UNFPA marks two significant milestones: the 50th anniversary of its establishment to assist countries in lowering fertility rates and the 25th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994.
Understanding Reproductive Health
Reproductive health is defined as a state of well-being related to one’s sexual and reproductive life. It implies that people can have a satisfying and safe sex life, have the ability to reproduce, and the freedom to decide if, when, and how often to do so.
Global Population Increase
In 2019, the world population was an estimated at 7.715 billion, which marked an increase from the 7.633 billion recorded in 2018. The average global life expectancy stood at 72 years. The least developed countries, particularly those in Africa, registered a significant population growth of 2.7% a year.
Much of the anticipated increase in global population up to 2050 is anticipated to come from countries with high fertility rates, mainly in Africa, or in countries with large populations like Nigeria and India.
India’s Population Growth
During the period from 2010 to 2019, India’s population grew at a slightly higher rate than the global average, recording a growth of 1.2% per annum compared to the global average of 1.1%. Nearly half of India’s population in 24 states achieved the replacement fertility rates of 2.1 children per woman, which is considered the optimal family size for population stability.
However, India’s large youth populace will continue to contribute to population growth, whilst simultaneously, the size of the aging population is increasing.
India’s Fertility Rates
In terms of fertility rates, the average number of children born per woman in India declined from 5.6 in 1969 to 3.7 in 1994 and further down to 2.3 in 2019.
India’s Population Demographics
As of 2019, India’s population stood at 1.36 billion, growing from 942.2 million in 1994 and 541.5 million in 1969.
| Age Group | Percentage |
| 0-14 years and 10-24 years | 27% |
| 15-64 years | 67% |
| 65 and above | 6% |
Improvement in Life Expectancy in India
There has been a noticeable improvement in life expectancy at birth in India. In 1969, the figure was 47 years, growing to 60 years in 1994, and reaching 69 years in 2019.
The report also shed light on women aged between 15-49 years for the first time. It includes data on women’s ability to make decisions over three key areas: sexual intercourse with their partner, contraception use, and health care.
Lack of Reproductive and Sexual Rights
The absence of reproductive and sexual rights can have negative repercussions on women’s education, income and safety, leaving them unable to shape their future. Early marriage remains a barrier to female empowerment and better reproductive rights. The report also probed into the threat to women’s and girls’ reproductive rights posed by emergencies triggered by conflict or climate disasters.
About United Nations Population Fund
The United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, was established as a trust fund in 1967 but began operations in 1969. Renamed officially as the United Nations Population Fund in 1987, it retained its original abbreviation, UNFPA. The organization primarily tackles Sustainable Development Goal 3 on health, Goal 4 on education, and Goal 5 on gender equality.