The government informed the Lok Sabha today that the projected population of India on July 1 this year is less than that of China.
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said in a written reply that as per the United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the total projected population of China at the beginning of this month was about 142 crore. He said by another estimate India's population is projected at 139 crore.
"As per United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division online publication, World Population Prospectus 2022, the total projected population of China as on July 1, 2023, is 142,56,71,000. The projected population of India as on July 1, 2023, as per the Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections published by the National Commission on Population, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, is 139,23,29,000," he said.
Responding to a question about whether the government proposes to conduct the census and the time frame, the minister said that the intent of the Government for conducting the Census 2021 was notified in the Gazette of India on March 28, 2019.
"Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Census 2021 and the related field activities have been postponed," he said.
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) said in April this year China will soon cede its long-held status as the world's most populous country.
"By the end of this month, India's population is expected to reach 1,425,775,850 people," it said in a tweet.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Rohit Sharma Can't Hide Disbelief After Freak Dismissal Against New Zealand - Watch PM Modi's 2nd Visit To Russia This Year, To Attend BRICS Summit Next Week Infinix Zero Flip First Impressions "War Can End Tomorrow If...": Netanyahu's Message After Killing Of Yahya Sinwar Drone Footage Of Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar's Last Moments Released By Israel How Israeli Military Tracked And Killed Hamas Chief Yahya Sinwar In Gaza 5 Tripura Cops Arrested After Man's Death Due To Alleged Custodial Torture Alarming Rise In AI-Produced Child Abuse Material, Warns Regulatory Body Sangh's Call For Collective Strength And United India Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.