On January 1, 2024, the world ushered in a new year and a new demographic milestone. According to the latest ** from the United Nations, the world's population will reach 80 by New Year's Day 2024200 million, an increase of about 095%。One of the most striking changes is that India's population will surpass China's to become the world's most populous country.
India and China are the two most populous countries in the world and the two largest developing countries in the world. The size and structure of the populations of the two countries have an important impact on the economic and social development of the two countries, as well as on the global population issue and the destiny of mankind. According to the United Nations, at New Year's Day 2023, China's population is 141.5 billion, India's population is 141.3 billion, the population gap between the two countries is only 2 million. However, due to the difference in population growth rates and birth rates between the two countries, India's population will surpass China's by 2024 to reach 142.9 billion, while China's population will decline slightly to 141.4 billion.
India's population surpassing China's is a historic turning point and a complex phenomenon. On the one hand, India's population growth reflects India's socio-economic progress, as well as the improvement in the living standards and health of the Indian people. India's GDP per capita has grown from $450 in 2000 to $2,170 in 2023, and life expectancy in India has increased from 62 in 20005 years old to 70 in 2023At 4 years old, India's infant mortality rate increased from 68 in 20008 down to 28 in 20233‰。These data show that India's population growth is a result of India's development and its development potential.
On the other hand, India's population growth has also brought with it the socio-economic challenges of India, as well as India's demographic problems and responsibility for the fate of humanity. India's population density has reached 455 people per square kilometre, which is 36 times, also 24 times. India's demographic structure is also younger, with 26 percent of India's population under the age of 156 percent, compared to 16 percent in China5%。This means that India needs to provide more basic services such as education, employment, health care, and housing for these populations, as well as more development opportunities and space for participation to give full play to their creativity and vitality. In addition, India, as the world's most populous country, also needs to assume more responsibilities and contributions to global population issues and human destiny, such as reducing poverty, promoting peace, protecting the environment, and responding to climate change.
India's population surpasses that of China, which also brings new opportunities and challenges to Sino-Indian relations. China and India are the world's two largest neighbors and the world's two largest developing countries. The size and structure of the populations of the two countries determine the development path and model of the two countries, as well as the space and potential for cooperation between the two countries. China and India should take the opportunity of surpassing China's population to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of population, learn from each other, jointly address the challenges of population issues and the destiny of mankind, and contribute to the development of the two countries and global prosperity.
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