India’s Population: Dividend or Disaster?

Sankar pal

July 02, 2025, 

India’s vast population has sparked ongoing debate: is it a demographic dividend poised to drive growth, or a disaster stifling development? While the United States boasts gold reserves and China dominates global manufacturing, India’s defining strength remains contentious. Critics argue that overpopulation, coupled with systemic challenges, is holding the nation back.

With a literacy rate of 75%—significantly lower than China’s 97%—and only 8.5 million jobs created annually, approximately 3.5 million people are left unemployed or reliant on the working population and government support. Women, comprising nearly half of India’s population, account for just 26.3% of the workforce, well below the global average of 39.7%. Even educated individuals are frequently deemed "unfit" for available roles, compounding the issue.

Despite a notable decline in population growth, the core challenge may lie in systemic inefficiencies rather than sheer numbers. Experts suggest that addressing these issues—through improved education, increased female workforce participation, and robust job creation—could transform India’s population into a powerful engine for progress. The question looms: can India overhaul its system to harness this potential?