Q What is the rank of india in world population ?
A : According to the 2023 estimate for India based on a 2018 census, we become No.1 country with highest population in the world after surpassing China (April24,2023). India, home to more than 1.46 billion individuals is about 17.8% of the total number of people on earth and this figures reflect estimates out to over 1.6 billions by 2050
Rank: 1
Population: 1.46–1.48 Billion (2026 estimates)
World Share: 17.8%
Median Age: Youthful; 68% (15-64)=68% of the population
However, India’s growth is largely due to improved life expectancy and healthcare. The five largest countries in terms of population in 2026 are India, China, the United States, Indonesia and Pakistan.
India has the #1 rank of highest human population in the world.
India formally overtook China for the top spot in April 2023. The gap has only widened since then, thanks to India’s comparatively young demographic and China’s slightly shrinking population.
Current Global Population Rankings (2026 Estimates)
| Rank | Country | Estimated Population | World Share |
| 1 | India | ~1.476 Billion | 17.8% |
| 2 | China | ~1.412 Billion | 17.0% |
| 3 | United States | ~349 Million | 4.2% |
| 4 | Indonesia | ~287 Million | 3.5% |
| 5 | Pakistan | ~259 Million | 3.1% |
Key Highlights for 2026
Digital Census: India began its 16th National Census (Census 2026/27) from April 1, 2026, which is also the world’s largest “digital-first” population exercise.
The demographic advantage — India is still a relatively young country with a median age close to 29-30 years and other top-ranked countries are aging.
Growth Trends: At a near-replacement level fertility rate of 2.0 children (per woman), India’s population will continue on an upward trajectory until it peaks at about 1.7 billion in approximately 2061.
