India to overtake China as world's most populated country in 2023: UN

Economic impact: People's productivity will have to increase to support larger numbers, say experts

India would be the world's most populated country next year, surpassing China, a report by the United Nations said on Monday.

"India is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country during 2023,” said the World Population Prospects 2022 by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division.

In 2022, India's population will only be slightly lower (at 1.412 billion) than China's (1.426 billion), according to the report.

And in 2050, the country is projected to have a population of 1.668 billion – way ahead of China's 1.317 billion.

The UN estimates exceed