Population

Immigration drives US population growth to highest rate in 23 years

Immigration to the United States in 2024 drove US population growth to its fastest rate in 23 years as the nation surpassed 340 million residents, the US Census Bureau said Thursday. The 1% growth rate this year was the highest it has been since 2001, and it was a marked contrast to the record low of 0.2% set in 2021 at the height of pandemic restrictions on travel to the United States, according to the annual population estimates. Immigration this year increased by 2.8 million people, partly because of a new method of counting that adds people who were admitted for humanitarian reasons. Net international migration accounted for 84% of the nation's 3.3 million-person increase between 2023 and 2024. Births outnumbered deaths in the United States by almost 519,000 between 2023 and 2024, which was an improvement over the historic low of 146,000 in 2021 but still well below the highs of previous decades. The group of people being included in the international migration estimates are th

Hong Kong's IVF rules send people into black market for eggs, embryos

At a time Hong Kong is trying to reverse one of world's lowest birth rates, residents seeking to have a baby outside of traditional means are running into strict rules on fertility treatments

RSS head Mohan Bhagwat wants every Indian family to have 3 kids. Here's why

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat advocates for every Indian family to have three children. Here's what he said and why his comments are stirring a debate

RSS chief bats for fertility rate of 'at least 3' to halt population fall

Expressing concern over declining population growth, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday said the total fertility rate in India should be at least 3, well above the fertility rate of 2.1 per cent that is considered as the population replacement rate. Speaking at the 'Kathale Kul (clan) Sammelan' in Nagpur, Bhagwat also highlighted the vital role of families, and warned that according to population science, if a society's total fertility rate dips below 2.1, it could face extinction. A declining population is a serious concern. Demographic studies suggest that when a society's total fertility rate falls below 2.1, it risks facing extinction. This decline does not necessarily require external threats; a society can gradually fade away on its own, Bhagwat said. Many languages and cultures have already disappeared due to this issue. Thus, it is essential to maintain a fertility rate above 2.1," Bhagwat said, and emphasized that "kutumb" (family) is an integral part of society and every ..

Iraq launches its first nationwide census in nearly four decades

The last nationwide census was held in 1987 in Iraq, followed by a census in 1997 which did not include certain Kurdish regions

Villages with population of 50 and above to get roads by 2030: CM Dhami

A special process will be created to determine the responsibility of contractors and engineers to improve the quality of roads

Population growth to fertility rate: What census 2025 might reveal

The census would set the stage for the delimitation exercise and introduction of the Women Reservation Act

Thousands of kindergartens closed in China amid decline in birth rates

Hit hard by China's deepening demographic crisis, thousands of famed kindergartens have been closed as enrolment of children dropped sharply across the country due to a significant decline in birth rates, according to an official report. In 2023, the number of kindergartens fell by 14,808 to 274,400, the annual report by the Chinese education ministry stated. It is the second consecutive annual decline in the latest indicator of China's falling birth rates. The number of children enrolled in kindergarten declined for a third consecutive year dropping by 11.55 per cent, or 5.35 million, last year to 40.9 million, the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post reported on Sunday, quoting the ministry's report. The number of primary schools also dropped by 5,645 to 143,500 in 2023, a 3.8 per cent fall. The decline reflects a broader demographic shift in China where both birth rates and total population continue to dwindle posing a serious threat to future economic growth, which is ..

MCD planning to propose ban on pigeon feeding spots over health concerns

The MCD is considering a proposal to ban pigeon-feeding spots across the city, citing potential health risks posed by the overpopulation of these birds. Popular feeding areas, typically seen on pavements, roundabouts, and road intersections, could soon be shut down if the proposal is approved. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials said that the plan is still in its early stages, and an advisory is expected soon. The proposal aims to address the health risks associated with pigeon droppings, which can harbour pathogens such as Salmonella, E. Coli, and influenza. These pathogens can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma and lead to severe allergic reactions. "When pigeons gather in large numbers, their droppings and feather fluttering create a breeding ground for various pathogens, particularly fungal spores like cryptococci. Inhaling these spores can lead to serious respiratory issues, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma, and even severe fungal pneumonia in

TFR in South India explained: Why are they worried about population growth?

Concerns over delimitation of Lok Sabha seats and a fall in fertility rates in South India have states revisiting family planning schemes

Why does the Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu want families to have more kids?

Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu said that his government plans to legislate allowing only candidates with more than two children to contest local body elections

Faced with a declining population, China pushing citizens to have babies

The central government has also recently pledged to reduce "medically unnecessary abortions," setting off worries that access to the procedure could be restricted

India should not be seen as 3rd or 4th-largest GHG emitter: Bhupender Yadav

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Wednesday said India should not be viewed as the world's third or fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases and its low per capita emission should be considered instead. Addressing a session at the Global Renewable Energy Investors Meet and Expo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, he said India is home to 17 per cent of the world's population, but its share of global carbon emissions is less than 5 per cent. In contrast, the per capita emissions of the combined 17 per cent population in developed countries account for 60 per cent of global emissions, he added. "India should not be viewed as the world's third or fourth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. While we might rank 'fourth or fifth' in terms of (cumulative) carbon emissions, our per capita emissions are significantly lower than those of developed countries," he said. When it comes to the use of fossil fuels, developing countries, including India, maintain that they still have significant

China's worsening population data presents an opportunity for India

India must do whatever is necessary to prepare its economy to benefit from a slowing China. But a proper strategy is needed as India's own demographic dividend will not last forever

Difficult but crucial: Discussing high immigration and demographic changes

Political correctness should not prevent us from discussing them

Delhi sees decline in birth rate post-Covid, from 18.35 to 14.85 per 1,000

Delhi saw a decline in birth rate after the COVID-19 pandemic as it reduced from 18.35 per 1000 population to 14.85 in 2020, according to the latest report of the government. The 'Annual Report on Registration of Births and Deaths in Delhi-2023' also said that out of 13,919 non-institutional births, 7,216 (51.84 per cent) were females. Out of 3,01,168 institutional births, 1,94,428 (64.56 per cent) births occurred in government hospitals. Out of the total institutional births, 1,43,891 (47.78 per cent) were females, according to the report. The report said one of the important indicators that emerge out of Civil Registration System is birth rate which, during the period between 2005 to 2019, is hovering between 18-22 per 1000 population. However, after Covid-19, the birth rate ranges between 13-15 per 1000 population from 2020-2023. The report, however, did not cite the reason for the decline in figures. In 2019, the birth rate stood at 18.35 per 1000 population while it declined

China plans to increase $406 bn social security fund to aid ageing society

Fund, which was established in 2000, is 'strategic reserve fund for social security needs during the peak period of population aging and the ballast of my country's social security system,' Ding said

Population control ignored in India since Emergency era: Narayana Murthy

Infosys co-founder NR Narayana Murthy on Sunday called rising population a major challenge for the country, saying Indians had not paid attention to population control since the Emergency period. Murthy made the remark during the convocation ceremony of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology in Prayagraj, where he was the chief guest. "India faces significant challenges related to population, per capita land availability, and healthcare facilities," he said. "Since the Emergency period, we Indians have not paid enough attention to population control. This poses a risk of making our country unsustainable. In comparison, countries such as the US, Brazil and China have far higher per capita land availability," he said. Murthy also emphasised that a true professional's responsibility was to contribute to the nation's progress. "This contribution depends on having high aspirations, dreaming big and working hard to turn those dreams into reality," the Infosys co-founder said. "

Assam's future at risk as Hindu-Muslim population balance eroding: Himanta

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the future of the state is "not secure" as the population balance between Hindus and Muslims is declining fast. Hoisting the Tri-Colour here, Sarma also said that the indigenous people have gone in a defensive mode due to demographic change in Assam as "we are a minority in 12-13 districts". "The future of Assam is not secure for us. The Hindu-Muslim population balance is declining fast. The Muslim population in 2021 rose to 41 per cent, while the Hindus were down to 57 per cent. The rest is shared by Christians and other communities," he claimed. In his official speech on the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, the CM asserted that the Hindu population is slowly going down to 50 per cent from 60-65 per cent. "In such a crisis phase, I am trying to bring back the population balance. I request all Hindus, Muslims and others to follow the family planning norms. We should be aware against polygamy by all sections of the ...

Onwards to Viksit Bharat

Initiating policy reforms on the priorities outlined in the Budget without delay is crucial for India's developmental goal