India
2026 population1.48B
Median age29.2 years
Under age 1523.8%
Age 65+7.6%
Dependency ratio45.8
Fertility1.93
Life expectancy72.7 years
Change to 2050+13.7%
Compare country population pyramids
Choose any two countries or areas. Compare their age shapes, population size, fertility, longevity, and projected change using one consistent source.
Estimate or projection?
UN estimates run through 2023; figures from 2024 onward are medium-scenario projections.
India population pyramid
2026 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
Medium projection
India population pyramid for 2026: males on the left and females on the right
100+
95–99
90–94
85–89
80–84
75–79
70–74
65–69
60–64
55–59
50–54
45–49
40–44
35–39
30–34
25–29
20–24
15–19
10–14
5–9
0–4
China population pyramid
2026 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
Medium projection
China population pyramid for 2026: males on the left and females on the right
100+
95–99
90–94
85–89
80–84
75–79
70–74
65–69
60–64
55–59
50–54
45–49
40–44
35–39
30–34
25–29
20–24
15–19
10–14
5–9
0–4
Key differences in 2026
China
2026 population1.41B
Median age40.6 years
Under age 1514.8%
Age 65+15.1%
Dependency ratio42.7
Fertility1.03
Life expectancy79.0 years
Change to 2050-10.8%
Read the full comparison with written analysis and 2050 projections.
Popular population pyramid comparisons
Each comparison page puts both pyramids on one scale for 2026 and 2050, with a written summary of the key differences.
- India vs China
- China vs United States
- India vs United States
- Japan vs China
- Japan vs South Korea
- Japan vs United States
- Nigeria vs Japan
- Germany vs Japan
- Germany vs France
- United Kingdom vs France
- United Kingdom vs United States
- Canada vs United States
- Mexico vs United States
- Russia vs Ukraine
- Russia vs China
- Russia vs United States
- Brazil vs Mexico
- India vs Pakistan
- India vs Bangladesh
- Pakistan vs Bangladesh
- India vs Nigeria
- Nigeria vs Ethiopia
- Egypt vs Nigeria
- South Korea vs North Korea
- Italy vs Spain
- Germany vs Italy
- Germany vs Ethiopia
- Indonesia vs Philippines
- Vietnam vs Thailand
- Australia vs Canada
- Saudi Arabia vs Qatar
- Turkey vs Iran
- China vs Taiwan
How to compare two population pyramids
Begin with the base
Compare the 0–4, 5–9, and 10–14 cohorts. A narrower recent base suggests smaller birth cohorts, but fertility data and migration are needed to explain why.
Inspect the middle
Adult bulges may follow large birth cohorts or age-selective migration. Compare the male and female sides and avoid assigning a cause from shape alone.
Read the top with context
The 65+ share, median age, and life expectancy measure different parts of ageing. Use them together rather than treating one number as the whole story.
Counts and percentages answer different questions
Both charts use the same percentage scale, so corresponding bar widths can be compared directly. The population totals below preserve differences in absolute size. A smaller country may have a wider child bar but far fewer children in total.
For a repeatable process, use the five-step chart-reading guide. For exact custom cohorts, open the age-group calculator.
Questions about the comparison
Can I compare any two country population pyramids?
Yes. The selectors include all 237 countries and areas in UN World Population Prospects 2024. Both charts use the same 2026 percentage scale.
Why can a smaller country have wider bars?
The bars show each age and sex group as a share of that country’s total population. Population totals are listed separately below the charts.
Are the 2026 comparison values observed?
No. The UN WPP 2024 series treats 2024 onward as projections. The comparison uses the medium scenario.