2.3 A ge S tructure of the I ndian P opulation

. A ge S tructure of the I ndian P opulation India has a very young population — that is, the majority of Indians tend to be young, and the average age is also less than that for most other countries. Table shows that the share of the under age group in the total population has come down from its highest level of % in to % in . The share of the – age group has increased slightly from % to %, while the share of the + age group is very small but it has begun to increase (from % to %) over the same period. But the age composition of the Indian population is expected to change significantly in the next two decades. Most of this change will be at the two ends of the age spectrum – as Table shows, the - age group will reduce its share by about % (from % in to % in ) while the plus age group will increase its share by about % (from % in to about % in .) Chart shows a graphical picture of the ‘population pyramid’ from to its projected shape in . T able : A ge C omposition of the P opulation of I ndia , – Year Age Group Total – Year – Year + Years Age Group columns show percentage shares; rows may not add up to because of rounding Source: Based on data from the Technical Group on Population Projections ( and ) of the National Commission on Population. Webpage for Report: