As of recent estimates, India is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.44 billion residents. The population is notably young, with a median age of approximately 28 years, providing a significant "demographic dividend" for economic growth. While urbanization is happening rapidly, roughly 65% of the population still resides in rural areas.
India's demographic tapestry is incredibly diverse. It is home to hundreds of ethnic groups and recognizes 22 official scheduled languages, with Hindi and English serving as the primary languages of the national government. Other widely spoken languages include Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, and Urdu.
Religion plays a central role in Indian life. The majority of the population practices Hinduism (about 79.8%), followed by Islam (14.2%), Christianity (2.3%), Sikhism (1.7%), Buddhism (0.7%), and Jainism (0.4%). Education levels have risen dramatically over the last few decades, with youth literacy rates exceeding 90%, though income and employment disparities remain challenges in the rapidly developing economy.
