Do you know? One in four people in India is below 15 years of age. India is one of the developing countries with a large share of the young population, reflecting a future with a large workforce. Positively, it indicates possibilities of economic boom if utilised optimally, while negatively, it indicates growing unemployment if adequate jobs are not created.

In the SimplyGIS Map Stories series, we uncover what data tells us —through the perspective of geography and spatial thinking.

The recent National Family Health Survey (NFHS – Round 5) 2019-2021 data, released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, reveals that the share of the population below 15 years varies widely across regions, pointing to uneven demographic transitions within the country. This is not a uniform “young India,” but a spatially divided one.

North–South Divide: State-Level Scenario

At the state level, a clear north–south demographic divide emerges. Northern and eastern states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, and Gujarat exhibit high proportions of young population, reflecting higher fertility rates and slower demographic transition. These regions are still in a phase of population expansion, where the base of the population pyramid remains broad.

In contrast, southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh show significantly lower shares of the young population. This indicates an advanced demographic transition characterised by lower fertility, higher life expectancy, and an increasingly ageing population. Urbanised states and union territories also tend to follow this pattern, reinforcing the role of socio-economic development in shaping demographic outcomes.

This divide is not merely statistical—it reflects deeper differences in education, healthcare access, urbanisation, and socio-economic conditions. The geography of youth in India, therefore, mirrors the geography of development itself.

Clusters of Divide: District Level Scenario

At the district level, the variation becomes even more pronounced. Within states, districts show sharp contrasts, revealing localised demographic dynamics that state averages often mask. The overall pattern still broadly aligns with the north–south divide, but pockets of high and low youth population appear across the country.

The highest shares of the young population are concentrated in districts of Meghalaya, Bihar, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, where values exceed 40–50%. These areas represent regions of strong demographic momentum, where future demand for education, employment, and basic services is expected to rise rapidly. On the other hand, districts such as Kolkata, Mumbai, parts of Kerala, and coastal Maharashtra show very low shares (below 17%), indicating ageing populations and declining fertility.

The Contrast: Top and Bottom Ten Districts

The contrast between the top ten and bottom ten districts further highlights this divide. While northeastern and eastern districts dominate the higher end, southern and highly urbanised districts dominate the lower end. This spatial inequality underscores the importance of analysing data at finer geographic scales for effective planning.

Top 10 Districts (Highest Young Population %)
Rank	District	State	Population (%)
1	West Khasi Hills	Meghalaya	50.6
2	South West Khasi Hills	Meghalaya	46.7
3	East Jaintia Hills	Meghalaya	46.1
4	West Jaintia Hills	Meghalaya	44.8
5	Khagaria	Bihar	41.3
6	Bahraich	Uttar Pradesh	41
7	Siddharthnagar	Uttar Pradesh	41
8	Araria	Bihar	40.5
9	Ribhoi	Meghalaya	40.4
10	Purba Champaran	Bihar	40

Bottom 10 Districts (Lowest Young Population %)
Rank	District	State	Population (%)
1	Kolkata	West Bengal	16
2	Mumbai	Maharashtra	16.2
3	Sindhudurg	Maharashtra	16.2
4	Ratnagiri	Maharashtra	16.3
5	Pathanamthitta	Kerala	16.4
6	Alappuzha	Kerala	16.6
7	Mahe	Puducherry	16.8
8	Namakkal	Tamil Nadu	17.3
9	Warangal Rural	Telangana	17.3
10	Lahul & Spiti	Himachal Pradesh	17.8

Conclusion

India’s demographic profile is not uniform—it is regionally differentiated and spatially complex. While some regions continue to experience high population growth driven by a large young population, others are transitioning toward ageing. This duality defines India’s current demographic reality.

Understanding this spatial variation is crucial. It shifts the narrative from “India as a young nation” to “India as a country of multiple demographic stages.”

Policy Suggestion

• Targeted Education Investment: High-youth regions (e.g., Bihar, Northeast) require expansion of schools, teachers, and skill development programs.
• Employment Planning: Anticipate future workforce surges in northern and eastern India with region-specific job creation strategies.
• Healthcare Reorientation: Southern and urban regions need to strengthen geriatric and ageing-related healthcare infrastructure.
• Decentralized Planning: District-level variations demand localized policy interventions rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
• Balanced Regional Development: Bridging the north–south divide requires long-term investment in health, education, and economic opportunities in lagging regions.

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