With a projected population of approximately 1.43 billion, experts emphasize the need for a people-centric approach to harness the potential of this vast population. Focusing on job creation, gender equity in employment, and skill development, India aims to leverage its youthful population.
India’s demographic profile is undergoing a profound transformation, presenting both formidable challenges and unparalleled opportunities. As of April 2023, the United Nations estimated India’s population to be around 1.43 billion, closely rivaling China’s figures. However, the Indian government’s count is slightly more conservative, pegging the population at approximately 1.39 billion.
Regardless of the precise numbers, there’s a unanimous agreement among experts that India’s demographic landscape necessitates a people-centric approach.
Gender dividend
Poonam Muttreja, the Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India, pinpoints job creation as a critical challenge, especially considering the significant number of young individuals entering the workforce. She advocates for leveraging India’s “gender dividend” through effective employment strategies. Despite a decline in the total fertility rate to 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1, India still confronts issues such as poverty and the need for skill development among its populace.
Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi, a former Indian bureaucrat, draws lessons from China, demonstrating how a large, well-managed population can propel economic growth. He debunks the myth of disproportionate growth in India’s Muslim population and promotes population stabilization over the next two decades. Quraishi emphasizes voluntary family planning measures over coercive tactics for managing demographic changes.
Aging population
Jennifer Sciubba, a demographic trends expert, highlights that India’s below-replacement fertility rates are leading the country towards an aging and eventually shrinking population. This shift underscores the need for strategic policy interventions, focusing on enhanced investments in education, especially for girls, and healthcare, addressing issues like poor nutrition and stunting among Indian children.
India’s substantial adolescent and youth population, constituting about a third of the total, offers a unique demographic advantage. This youthful demographic could transform into a global labor force, contingent on effective policies and investments in education, skill development, healthcare, and job creation. While India has progressed in various sectors, challenges persist in fully capitalizing on the demographic dividend.
To maximize its potential, India must prioritize skill development, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, improve labor market flexibility, and create conducive environments for job creation across diverse sectors. India is at a pivotal juncture, where its population, if judiciously managed, can emerge as a global asset.
Global education
In the past few years, India has also risen to become the world’s second-largest center for higher education, with a keen focus on STEM, AI, machine learning, data science, and cybersecurity. A 2020-21 Ministry of Education survey noted a historic enrollment of 40 million students in higher education institutions. Indian universities are increasingly engaging in international collaborations, offering globally affiliated programs and establishing branch campuses. This strategy aims to attract an international student body and elevate educational standards.
The past decade witnessed a 42 percent increase in enrollment, attracting students from China, Nepal, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Iran, and Bhutan. The government is promoting higher education through specialized programs, short-term courses, and financial incentives. The Edtech sector in India is projected to reach a staggering $30 billion by 2031, positioning it as the second-largest e-learning market globally.
India’s educational prowess
At the UAE’s Getex higher education exhibition, 20 leading Indian universities, including the B. S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science & Technology and Birla Institute of Technology, showcased specialized programs, highlighting India’s growing prominence in the global education landscape.
India’s burgeoning population and its ascent in the global education sphere are intricately linked. The nation’s demographic dynamics, characterized by a large youth population and a transitioning fertility rate, demand strategic policy interventions in education and job creation.
The exponential growth in higher education and technological sectors positions India as a formidable global player in knowledge and innovation. This dual focus on managing demographic challenges and enhancing educational capabilities is pivotal for India to harness its true potential in the coming decades.
