India's demographic landscape is marked by its large and growing population of over 1.4 billion people, diverse regional dynamics, and a shifting age structure. This presents both opportunities and challenges for sustainable development.

The country has a unique chance to leverage its demographic dividend by investing in the health, education, and employment of its youth. However, India also faces the challenge of a rapidly ageing population, projected to make up 20% of the population by 2050, alongside varying fertility rates across different states. These demographic mega-trends, combined with climate change and migration, necessitate a nuanced approach to population and development policies.

UNFPA India works collaboratively with the Government of India to enhance the utilisation of demographic data and analysis for informing national and sub-national policies, programs, and plans. This partnership aims to optimise the demographic dividend, advance the objectives of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action, and contribute to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key Interventions of UNFPA in India

Facilitating Evidence-Based Policy Dialogue on Demographic Dividend
UNFPA has been at the forefront of generating evidence and facilitating policy dialogue on issues related to the demographic dividend and population ageing. This includes working with policymakers at the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, including initiatives such as the National Transfer Accounts (NTA).

Strengthening Data Systems to Monitor Sustainable Development Goals
UNFPA supports the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation in tracking SDG indicators. Additionally, UNFPA has conducted district-level population projections in its four focus states, providing disaggregated age-sex structure data for local program planning and monitoring.

Building Capacities of Census Enumerators
In collaboration with the Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI) and Census Commissioner, UNFPA developed e-learning modules and mobile applications in English and 17 Indian languages. These resources serve as technical support for census enumerators and their supervisors.

Influencing Population Narratives
UNFPA engages with the media to inform and shape key narratives on the positive aspects of population dynamics and megatrends including migration, urbanisation, ageing and more.

Strengthening South-South Collaboration
As part of the South-South Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), UNFPA facilitates knowledge-sharing focused on orientation on census methodologies, economic surveys, official statistics, data quality assurance, and data systems for international migrants.

By implementing these interventions, UNFPA India aims to enhance the country's ability to navigate its complex demographic landscape and achieve sustainable development goals.