The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) is set to chart the course for population stabilisation in India. In line with this objective, it is hosting a national consultation titled ‘Realising the vision of population stabilization: leaving no one behind’. This initiative is being undertaken in collaboration with the Population Foundation of India (PFI). As a country with a current population size of 1.37 billion, making it the world’s second-most populous nation, the issues and obstacles surrounding population stability are of critical importance to India.
India’s Population Challenges
The World Population Prospects 2019, a publication by the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, suggests that India is on track to overtake China as the world’s most populous country by 2027. Despite falling birth rates, the Indian population continues to grow because over 30% of its population is young and in the reproductive age group. This steadily increasing population presents a host of new challenges for both current and future generations.
About the Population Foundation of India (PFI)
The Population Foundation of India (PFI) is a nationally recognized NGO committed towards bolstering the formulation and implementation of gender-sensitive policies, strategies, and programs related to population and development. Formerly known as the Family Planning Foundation, PFI was established in 1970 by an assembly of industrialists and population activists, including JRD Tata and Dr. Bharat Ram. PFI’s inception was intended to address the growing need for an autonomous body to tackle India’s swelling population concerns and supplement and bolster the government’s efforts in family planning.
Population Data in Numbers
| Attribute | Data |
|---|---|
| Current Population | 1.37 billion |
| World Ranking (Most Populous) | 2 |
| Projected Year to Become Most Populous | 2027 |
| Percentage of Young, Reproductive Age Population | 30% |
The Role of NITI Aayog in Population Stabilisation
NITI Aayog’s role extends not only to drafting the framework for population stabilisation but also to galvanise voluntary action through meaningful support activities. These activities range from organising national consultations to partnering with organisations like PFI, thus reinforcing the collective efforts to address India’s population challenges.
