India
India is a federal parliamentary republic in Southern Asia, bordering six countries and featuring a coastline of 7000 km (4350 mi). Current estimates show a population of approximately 1.48 billion people, supported by an estimated GDP per capita of 3056 USD.
Where is India?
India
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- India
- Coordinates
- 20.00°, 77.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 1B
- Area
- 3,287,263 km²
- Density per km²
- 449 / km²
- Growth rate
- +0.89%
- Annual growth
- +13M people
- Daily growth
- +36K people
- World population share
- 18.20%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for India
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- New Delhi
- Region
- Asia
- Area
- 3,287,263 km²
- Languages
- English, Hindi, Tamil
- Currency
- Indian rupee (₹)
- Timezones
- UTC+05:30
- UN Member
- Yes
Economy
Recent data indicates a total nominal GDP of approximately 3.91 trillion USD, ranking India as global 5 of 212. While the annual GDP growth rate remains strong at 6.5%, the GDP per capita ranks global 159 of 212. The labor market currently shows an unemployment rate of 4.2%, which ranks global 116 of 186 when measured from lowest to highest. Key economic sectors include a robust services industry, particularly in technology and telecommunications, alongside a large agricultural base and expanding manufacturing hubs.
Society
Life expectancy in India is approximately 72.2 years, placing the nation at a rank of global 135 of 215. Recent data shows an adult literacy rate of 78.2%, which ranks global 124 of 170. Additionally, the internet penetration rate stands at 70%, ranking India global 134 of 212 for internet users as a percentage of the population. Educational and social initiatives are highly localized due to the nation's diverse ethnic composition and the use of multiple official languages such as English, Hindi, and Tamil.
Climate & Environment
India experiences a diverse climate ranging from tropical in the south to temperate and alpine in the Himalayan north, where Kanchenjunga reaches 8586 m (28169 ft). The country is heavily influenced by the seasonal monsoon, which provides critical rainfall necessary for its vast agricultural sector and hydroelectric power generation.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- federal parliamentary republic
- Independence
- 1947-08-15 (United Kingdom)
India is a federal parliamentary republic that operates under a constitution established after its independence from the United Kingdom. The political system divides power between the central government and the states, with a President serving as the ceremonial head of state and a Prime Minister acting as the head of government with executive authority. The bicameral parliament consists of the Rajya Sabha, representing the states, and the Lok Sabha, which is elected directly by the people. As a prominent UN member, the country plays a major role in regional and global geopolitics. The legal system is based on English common law, featuring an independent judiciary led by the Supreme Court. Political life is characterized by a vibrant multi-party system that manages the interests of a population that is 79.8% Hindu and 14.2% Muslim. Military expenditure is maintained at 2.27% of the GDP to ensure security along its borders with 6 neighboring nations.
History
The history of India is rooted in the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the oldest urban cultures in the world. Over millennia, the subcontinent was the seat of influential empires such as the Maurya, Gupta, and Mughal dynasties, which shaped its diverse cultural and religious landscape. In the 1600s, European powers began establishing trading posts, eventually leading to nearly 2 centuries of British colonial rule under the British Raj. A long struggle for self-determination, led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi through non-violent resistance, culminated in the country becoming an independent nation on 15 August 1947. This transition involved the partition of the subcontinent, leading to the creation of Pakistan. Since then, the nation has transitioned from a socialist-leaning economy toward a market-oriented global power following significant reforms in the early 1990s. Modern development has been marked by rapid urbanization, with 35.3% of the population living in cities, and a major push toward digital integration that has brought 70% of the population online. Today, it stands as the world's most populous country, balancing ancient traditions with modern advancements in space exploration, technology, and industry while maintaining a literacy rate of 78.16% and a life expectancy of 72.235 years.
Notable Facts
- The country is home to Kanchenjunga, which reaches an elevation of 8586 m (28169 ft), making it the highest point in the nation and the third-highest peak globally.
- With an estimated 2026 population of 1476898062, the nation holds the rank of 1 globally, representing a significant portion of the world's total population.
- The geography features a vast coastline of 7000 km (4350 mi), providing extensive access to the Indian Ocean and major international maritime trade routes.
- Natural resource wealth includes significant deposits of coal, iron ore, and bauxite, alongside being the world's largest producer of mica.
- The nation is characterized by extreme linguistic diversity, with English, Hindi, and Tamil serving as major languages for administration, education, and commerce.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Kanchenjunga (8,586 m)
- Lowest Point
- Indian Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 7,000 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in IndiaExplore weather and climate data for cities in India
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for New Delhi
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January best | 18°C / 9°C | 17°C / 7°C | 4days (38 mm) Good | 9.2h Good | 82% Humid | Excellent | View Details |
| February best | 25°C / 12°C | 24°C / 11°C | 2days (22 mm) Excellent | 10.2h Excellent | 70% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| March best | 30°C / 17°C | 31°C / 18°C | 5days (36 mm) Good | 11.4h Excellent | 61% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| April | 37°C / 23°C | 38°C / 22°C | 3days (8 mm) Excellent | 11.9h Excellent | 41% Moderate | Good | View Details |
| May | 38°C / 26°C | 41°C / 28°C | 7days (46 mm) Good | 12.3h Excellent | 49% Moderate | Poor | View Details |
| June | 38°C / 29°C | 43°C / 32°C | 9days (64 mm) Wet | 11.7h Excellent | 57% Moderate | Poor | View Details |
| July | 34°C / 28°C | 42°C / 34°C | 21days (208 mm) Wet | 8.9h Good | 79% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| August | 33°C / 28°C | 40°C / 33°C | 17days (152 mm) Wet | 8.8h Good | 80% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| September | 34°C / 26°C | 39°C / 32°C | 12days (157 mm) Wet | 9.7h Good | 79% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| October | 32°C / 21°C | 35°C / 23°C | 3days (52 mm) Excellent | 10.5h Excellent | 70% Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| November best | 28°C / 14°C | 27°C / 14°C | 1days (4 mm) Excellent | 10.4h Excellent | 69% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
| December best | 22°C / 10°C | 21°C / 9°C | 1days (9 mm) Excellent | 9.5h Good | 74% Muggy | Excellent | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 18°C / 9°C . Feb: 25°C / 12°C . Mar: 30°C / 17°C . Apr: 37°C / 23°C . May: 38°C / 26°C . Jun: 38°C / 29°C . Jul: 34°C / 28°C . Aug: 33°C / 28°C . Sep: 34°C / 26°C . Oct: 32°C / 21°C . Nov: 28°C / 14°C . Dec: 22°C / 10°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 38 mm. Feb: 22 mm. Mar: 36 mm. Apr: 8 mm. May: 46 mm. Jun: 64 mm. Jul: 208 mm. Aug: 152 mm. Sep: 157 mm. Oct: 52 mm. Nov: 4 mm. Dec: 9 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of India is approximately 1B (2024).
The capital of India is New Delhi.
India's GDP per capita is $3.1K (2024).
Life expectancy in India is 72.24 years (2024).
India covers 3,287,263 km² (1,269,219 sq mi).
India is densely populated, with 449 people per km² — above the global average of 60.
India's population is growing steadily at 0.9% per year, in line with global averages.
Based on GDP per capita, India falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $3.1K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
India reports a low intentional homicide rate of 2.8 per 100,000 people, below the global average.
India has 3 official languages: English, Hindi, Tamil.
India uses the Indian rupee (₹) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit India are January, February, March, November, December, based on climate data for the capital.
India is the most populous country in the world, with current estimates showing a population of approximately 1.48 billion people. This represents a rank of global 1 of 215 and regional 1 of 49 in Asia according to recent data. The nation continues to see steady growth with an annual population growth rate of 0.9%.
Latest data shows India's nominal GDP at approximately 3.91 trillion USD, which ranks as global 5 of 212 and regional 3 of 48. While the total economy is substantial, the current estimated GDP per capita is 3056 USD, which ranks global 159 of 212 and subregional 5 of 9.
Current estimates indicate an adult literacy rate of 78.2% across the country. This figure places India at a rank of global 124 of 170 for literacy. The government continues to focus on educational reforms and digital literacy to bridge the gap between urban and rural populations across various linguistic groups.
Approximately 70% of the Indian population uses the internet, reflecting a significant digital transformation. This penetration rate ranks India global 134 of 212 for internet users as a percentage of the population. Expansion of affordable mobile data and infrastructure has fueled this connectivity, particularly among the large youth demographic.
Life expectancy at birth in India is approximately 72.2 years, according to the latest available data. This ranks the nation global 135 of 215. Improvements in healthcare infrastructure and nutrition, along with expanded medical coverage, have contributed to a steady increase in this indicator over recent decades.
The unemployment rate in India is 4.2%, which ranks the country global 116 of 186. The workforce is shifting from traditional agriculture toward services and manufacturing. Economic growth of 6.5% annually supports the creation of new opportunities in technology hubs and industrial corridors throughout the country.
The latest ranking places India at global 1 of 215 countries, making it the most populous nation on Earth. It also holds the regional (Asia) 1 of 49 and subregional (Southern Asia) 1 of 9 ranks. This position reflects its status as a global demographic leader, recently surpassing all other nations.
The population density of India is currently estimated at 496.7 people per km² (1,286.4 sq mi). This density ranks India at global 24 of 215 countries and regional (Asia) 10 of 49. While urban centers are extremely crowded, the national average is distributed across 3,287,263 km² (1,269,219 sq mi) of land.
India's population is currently increasing at an annual growth rate of 0.89%. While the total number of inhabitants continues to rise, the rate of growth has slowed significantly over the last several decades. Recent data indicates the country is transitioning toward a more stable demographic profile as fertility levels continue to decline.
The fertility rate in India is currently 1.96 births per woman, according to the latest official 2024 data. This figure is significant because it has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. This decline is attributed to increased female education, better healthcare access, and widespread family planning initiatives.
Approximately 35.4% of India's population lives in urban areas, according to recent figures. While the urbanization rank is global 181 of 215, the absolute number of urban residents is among the largest in the world. The country continues to experience rapid urban growth as people migrate for industrial and service jobs.
All Indicators
Explore India's data across 50+ indicators
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