hindu-population-shrinks-in-india-minorities-grow-pm-s-panel

The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has uncovered significant shifts in India's population dynamics, revealing a 7.8% decline in the share of Hindus from 1950 to 2015, contrasting with an upsurge in minority groups.

The findings indicate a transformation in India's demographic landscape, with Hindus constituting 78% in 2015 compared to 84% in 1950, while Muslims saw an increase from 9.84% to 14.09% during the same period.

India's population trend aligns with global patterns, demonstrating the thriving status of minorities within the country, debunking misconceptions surrounding their protection and growth.

However, the study highlights a contrasting scenario in neighbouring nations, where Muslim-majority countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan witnessed an increase in their demographic share, unlike India's Hindu population decline.

Bangladesh recorded a significant 18.5% surge, followed by Pakistan with 3.75%, and Afghanistan with 0.29%. Despite the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, Pakistan saw a notable rise in its Muslim population.

Conversely, India's population shift underscores a notable decline in the Hindu majority, reminiscent of trends observed in Myanmar and Nepal, where Theravada Buddhists and Hindus experienced declines of 10% and 3.6%, respectively.

The study, encompassing data from 167 countries, underscores India's distinct demographic trajectory, shedding light on evolving population dynamics within the region and beyond.