India
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Country Facts
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Capital:
New Dehli
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Population:
1,129,866,154 |
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Median age:
24.8 years |
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Infant mortality:
34.61 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Access to improved water source:
86% |
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Access to improved sanitation:
33% |
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Below poverty line:
25% |
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Adult literacy:
61% |
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India boasts the world’s second largest population with more than one billion people. Its population is more than three and a half times the size of that of the United States. However, India is only one-third of the physical size of the US.
The population is incredibly diverse. Hindi is the national language, but there are 14 other official languages. India’s schools teach 58 languages and its national newspapers are published in 87 languages. The predominant religion is Hindu (81.3 percent), but 12 percent of the population is Muslim, and other religions such as Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism are also practiced. Much of India’s art reflects the country’s religious ties and includes colorful masks, intricate sculpture, and lively dance.
Poverty is a chief concern in India. Although overall poverty in India has decreased in the last 50 years, more than 25 percent of India’s population still lives on less than two dollars a day. There is an ever-widening gap between poor people and those who are better off. Health has also improved in India, however, 34 percent of India’s children under age five are malnourished, and maternal deaths account for nearly 25 percent of the world’s childbirth-related deaths.
Learn about WaterPartners projects in India.
Water Crisis in India
India’s huge and growing population is putting a severe strain on all of the country’s natural resources. Most water sources are contaminated by sewage and agricultural runoff. India has made progress in the supply of safe water to its people, but gross disparity in coverage exists across the country. Although access to drinking water has improved, the World Bank estimates that 21% of communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe water. In India, diarrhea alone causes more than 1,600 deaths daily—the same as if eight 200-person jumbo-jets crashed to the ground each day. Hygiene practices also continue to be a problem in India. Latrine usage is extremely poor in rural areas of the country; only 14% of the rural population has access to a latrine. Hand washing is also very low, increasing the spread of disease. In order to decrease the amount of disease spread through drinking-water, latrine usage and hygiene must be improved simultaneously.
Learn more about India
