Indias population reality: reconciling change and tradition.

India is often described as a collection of many countries held together by a common destiny and a successful democracy. Its diverse ethnic linguistic geographic religious and demographic features reflect its rich history and shape its present and future. No fewer than 16 languages are featured on Indian rupee notes. It is also only the second country to achieve a population of 1 billion. While it is an emerging economic power life remains largely rooted in its villages. Only a small fraction of Indians are benefiting from the countrys expanding industrial and information sectors. India has more people than Europe more than Africa more than the entire Western Hemisphere. Indias population will exceed that of China before 2030 to become the worlds most populous country a distinction it will almost certainly never lose. Just one group Indian boys below age 5 numbers 62 million--more than the total population of France. Indias annual increase of nearly 19 million contributes far more to annual world population growth than any other country. This Population Bulletin presents a demographic portrait of the diverse country of India in the early years of the 21st century and offers insight into some of the forces driving continued growth. (excerpt)