Demography, Health and Education

Key Population statistics: With 900 million people in 1994, India has the second largest population in the world. The age-patterns of the population, and the mix of health and education services which prevail, are unique.
Age structure of population: Around 40% of India's population is below age 15. This is in sharp contrast with aging populations worldwide.
Birth rates and death rates: Both birth and death rates have come down sharply over the last fifty years; improvements in death rates have been sharper thus giving high population growth.
Infant mortality: The last decade witnessed an improvement in infant mortality rates in India. However, these rates are still very high by world standards.
Health Services: The healthcare system in India is a sprawling collection of government agencies, voluntary agencies and the private sector.
Birth Control: There is a large government program aimed at education and extension.
Literacy: Literacy has improved from 18% in 1951 to 52% in 1991.
Education: India has one of the most extensive systems of higher education in the world.