India to Become World's Most Populous Nation by 2028: UN

United Nations: India will surpass China to become world's most populous nation around 2028, with its population crossing the 1.45 billion mark, according to latest report by the United Nations.

The report 'World Population Prospects' says the world's population will hit 7.2 billion next month and is projected to reach 10.9 billion by 2100, with the growth mainly occurring in developing countries, with more than half in Africa.

But, with the number of future global dwellers linked to fertility, the number at the end of the century could be as high 16.6 billion or even fall to 6.8 billion, it adds.

The report says India is expected to become the world's most populous country, passing China around 2028, when both countries will have populations of 1.45 billion.

After that, India's population will continue to grow and that of China is expected to start decreasing.

"Although population growth has slowed for the world as a whole, this report reminds us that some developing countries, especially in Africa, are still growing rapidly," Wu Hongbo, the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said while releasing the report.