India had the world’s largest population according to 2023 United Nations estimates. The UN Population Fund stated that India’s population had reached about 1.4286 billion, slightly exceeding China’s estimated population. India’s population is distributed across a wide range of environments, from the Himalayan region to the Ganges plain and southern coasts.
India’s population growth has slowed substantially compared with earlier decades because fertility rates have declined and life expectancy has increased. The country remains extremely diverse, with hundreds of languages and many religious and cultural traditions.
Population rankings are estimates rather than precise daily counts because no country records every birth, death and migration event instantly. China remained the world’s most populous country for decades before India moved ahead in the UN’s 2023 estimate. India’s next national census is expected to provide more detailed official demographic data.