Population Distribution in India
Geography: KS3, topic 18.2.1
Population Distribution
India is now the most populous country in the world, with a population of 1.44 billion.
Current population
- In 2016, India had a population of 1.3 billion (equivalent to 17.7% of the total world’s population).
- In 2023, India passed China as the most populous country, with 1.43 billion people.
- From 2001 to 2011, the county’s population increased by 181 million.
Future trends
- It was anticipated India would exceed China’s population and become the most populated country in the world due to the rapid population growth of recent decades.
- By 2050, population experts believe India will reach 1.6 billion people.
Population density
- India is ranked in the top 50 most densely with populated countries in the world, with an average of 455 people per square kilometre.
- This varies across the states with some of the busier cities, like Mumbai, having a population density of 21,000 people per square kilometre.
Population distribution
- The largest state in India is Uttar Pradesh with an estimated population of 20 million people.
- The lowest populated state is Uttarakhand with a population of 1 million people.
- Most of India’s population are distributed between the four states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal.
Test yourself on Population Distribution in India
By what year is the population of India expected to hit 1.6 billion?
Which Indian city has a population density of 21,000 people per square kilometre?
Which is the largest state in India with an estimated population of 20 million people?