Understanding the Unravelling India’s Demographic Future Report

The landmark report titled Unravelling India’s Demographic Future: Population Projections for States and Union Territories, 2021–2051, jointly published by the Population Foundation of India (PFI) and the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD), offers a comprehensive analysis of India's evolving population landscape. Released in late 2025 and updated in early 2026, it employs the cohort-component method (CCM)—a standard demographic modeling technique that projects future population by tracking births, deaths, and migration across age-sex cohorts—to forecast trends up to 2051. This approach integrates data from the 2011 Census, Sample Registration System (SRS), National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5, 2019–21), Civil Registration System (CRS), Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), and post-COVID adjustments for accuracy.

What sets this report apart is its granular state-wise projections, revealing not just national trends but stark regional disparities. It uses three variants—low, medium, and high—based on fertility, mortality, migration, and urbanization assumptions, with the medium variant as the baseline. Total Fertility Rate (TFR, average children per woman) is modeled via Gompertz curves, converging to 1.6–1.67 nationally by 2051, while mortality follows logistic curves for life expectancy gains. Migration incorporates net flows from NSS and PLFS, and urbanization aligns with UN differentials, projecting a rise to 50–52% urban population.

This rigorous methodology validates against UN World Population Prospects 2024 and earlier studies, providing policymakers, researchers, and educators with actionable insights amid India's transition from a youth bulge to an ageing society.

National Population Trajectory: Slowing Growth and Stabilization

India's total population is projected to grow modestly from 1,355.8 million in 2021 to 1,590.1 million by 2051—a mere 17% increase over three decades, with annual growth plummeting to 0.5% from higher rates in prior decades. This slowdown reflects fertility rates dipping below replacement level (2.1) across most states, driven by improved education, women's empowerment, and family planning success. The medium variant predicts stabilization post-2055, averting a 'population explosion' while momentum from past growth sustains modest rises.

Urbanization accelerates to 50%, fueled by rural-urban migration and reclassification, reshaping infrastructure demands.

Shifting Age Structure: From Youth Bulge to Ageing Profile

The report charts a profound shift in age distribution. The child population (0–14 years) shrinks from 31% in 2021 to 16.8% by 2051, slashing pre-primary school demand from 113.5 million to just 8.6 million. Median age climbs from 28 to 40 years, signaling a rectangular pyramid over the youthful base of past decades.

• Elderly (60+): 130.5 million (9.6%) to 325.3 million (20.5%), with life expectancy rising to 75.5 years for men and 81.4 for women.
• Working-age (15–59): Peaks at 65.5% before decline, defining the demographic dividend window.

Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) normalizes to 105–107, improving from skewed highs via policy interventions.

The End of India's Demographic Dividend: A Tipping Point in 2041

Central to the report is the impending closure of India's demographic dividend—the economic boost from a high working-age to dependent ratio. The 15–59 cohort expands to 1,009 million (65.5%) by 2041, then contracts to 998.1 million (62.8%) by 2051, marking the end of this phase. Dependency ratio hits a historic low before rising, urging immediate action to convert potential into productivity gains.

Experts warn that without skilling 400–500 million workers, this dividend risks becoming a 'demographic disaster'.Observer Research Foundation analysis

Regional Disparities: North-South Demographic Divide Emerges

A stark North-South chasm defines state projections. Northern states like Bihar (TFR 1.9), Uttar Pradesh (1.81), Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh drive growth, with Bihar's population surging 38.7% to 170.5 million by 2051, rising to second rank. Southern states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh—stabilize or decline post-2036, TFR at/below 1.4, shrinking their national share from 20% to 17%.

This divide impacts federal fund allocation, Lok Sabha seats, and migration flows, with North gaining demographic heft.

Economic Implications: Leveraging the Final Window

With workforce peaking soon, India must prioritize job creation and productivity. Current youth unemployment and skill gaps (30–40%) threaten gains, especially as automation accelerates.Full report PDF Northern youth bulge demands scaled infrastructure; Southern ageing requires geriatric expertise.

Higher Education's Pivotal Role in Skilling for the Dividend

Universities face enrollment pressures from declining youth cohorts but must expand Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035 per NEP 2020. Focus shifts to vocational, AI, and research programs for 1 billion+ workforce. Institutions like IITs and IIMs lead skilling, but quality lags—only 47% youth secondary-complete. Research on demographics booms, with unis partnering for ageing studies and migration models.

• Boost research jobs in population sciences.
• Align curricula with industry for employability.
• Expand online/hybrid for regional access.

Challenges of an Ageing India: Healthcare and Pensions

20.5% elderly by 2051 strains systems; unis must pioneer geriatric care, biotech. Women's LFPR rise unlocks 'gender dividend'.

Policy Roadmap: From Dividend to Second Dividend

Report urges education overhaul, elderly redesign, family planning sustain. Unis key in training for silver economy.The Hindu op-ed

Outlook: Opportunities Amid Transition

India can thrive via proactive policies, turning challenges into growth engines through higher ed innovation.

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