Hindu Population Witnesses 7.8 pc Decline From 1950 To 2015: PM's Panel Report
hindu population witnesses 7.8 pc decline from 1950 to 2015: pm’s panel report
New Delhi: A recent study conducted by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has shed light on significant demographic shifts in India over the past decades. According to the study, the population share of the majority religion, Hindus, has seen a sharp decline of 7.8% between 1950 and 2015. Meanwhile, several neighbouring countries have witnessed an increase in the population of their respective majority communities.
While the Hindu population has decreased in India, the study highlights a rise in the share of minority groups, including Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Sikhs. However, the number of Jains and Parsis has shown a decrease in the population mix.
Over the period from 1950 to 2015, the Muslim population share in India has surged by 43.15%, Christians have seen a 5.38% increase, Sikhs a 6.58% rise, and Buddhists have witnessed a slight increase.
The study notes that the share of Hindus in India’s population has decreased from 84% in 1950 to 78% in 2015, while the Muslim population has witnessed an increase from 9.84% to 14.09% during the same period.
Interestingly, the decline in the majority population in India (by 7.8%) is reported as the second most significant decline in the immediate neighbourhood, following Myanmar’s decline of 10%. Additionally, Nepal’s majority community, Hindus, saw a 3.6% decline in its share of the country’s population.
The report, released in May 2024, assessed demographic trends in 167 countries worldwide. The authors of the study emphasise that India’s demographic performance aligns with broader global trends.
“Contrary to the noise in several quarters, careful analysis of the data shows that minorities are not just protected, but indeed thriving in India,” the authors assert.
The study’s findings provide valuable insights into demographic dynamics in India and its neighbouring countries, highlighting both challenges and opportunities in the region’s demographic landscape.