India is the
second most populous country in the world, with over 1.277 billion people (2015), more than a sixth of the
world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2022, surpassing
China, its population reaching 1.6 billion by 2050. Its population growth rate is 1.2%, ranking
94th in the world in 2013. The Indian population had reached the billion mark by 1998.