Total dependency ratio in India
India: Total dependency ratio was 47.0% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Total dependency ratio in India, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, total dependency ratio in India stood at 47.0%. That is the lowest value across all 74 years on record.
That represents a change of down 1.0% on the previous year and down 13.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total dependency ratio in India peaked at 82.6% in 1966 and was at its lowest, 47.0%, in 2023.
India ranks 183rd of 236 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 74 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 73.0% | 69.6% | 77.2% | 10 |
| 1960s | 81.4% | 78.2% | 82.6% | 10 |
| 1970s | 80.3% | 78.2% | 81.9% | 10 |
| 1980s | 76.4% | 74.7% | 77.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 71.2% | 67.5% | 74.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 62.3% | 57.9% | 66.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 52.9% | 49.4% | 56.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 47.8% | 47.0% | 48.7% | 4 |
Countries ranked near India
More population data for India
- World population growth -0.5% (2100)
- Population density 506.27 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 66.77 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.5% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 1.96 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 1.96 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 236,763 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 1.96 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 1.98 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 1.89 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total dependency ratio in India?
- Total dependency ratio in India was 47.0% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total dependency ratio recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 82.6% in 1966.
- What is the lowest total dependency ratio recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 47.0% in 2023.
- How does India rank for total dependency ratio?
- India ranks 183rd out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total dependency ratio rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 13.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total dependency ratio. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The number of children (under 15) and people aged 65 and over per 100 working-age people (aged 15 to 64).