South Asia is home to a significant portion of the world’s population, with over two billion people as of recent estimates. This region includes some of the most populous countries on Earth.
India
India has the largest population in South Asia and is the second-most populous country in the world, after China, with a population of over 1.4 billion people. This makes India home to about 18% of the world’s total population.
The country has seen rapid population growth over the past several decades, though the rate of growth has started to slow in recent years.
The the median age of the population is around 28 years. This demographic trend presents both challenges and opportunities in terms of education, employment and infrastructure development.
India’s population is incredibly diverse, not only in terms of its ethnic groups but also with regard to its languages, religions, and cultures. The country has over 2,000 distinct ethnic groups and speaks more than 1,600 languages. The most widely spoken languages are Hindi and English, though many regional languages like Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil and others are also spoken by tens of millions.
Major Indian cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore serve as regional cultural hub. India also has a rapidly growing economy, which plays a crucial role in regional markets.
With its large population, India faces challenges like poverty, inequality, urbanization and environmental concerns, but it also has enormous potential for continued growth and development, especially as its middle class expands and more people enter the workforce.
Pakistan
Pakistan is the second-most populous country in South Asia, with an estimated population of around 240 million people. This makes it one of the largest countries in the world by population, ranking around fifth globally, after China, India, the United States and Indonesia.
Pakistan is a country with significant demographic and cultural diversity, with major ethnic groups including Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis and Baloch, among others.
The country has several large urban centers, with Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad being the most prominent. Karachi, in particular, is one of the largest cities in the world and serves as Pakistan’s economic and industrial hub.
The population of Pakistan is relatively young, with a median age of around 22 years. This youthful demographic presents opportunities in terms of economic growth, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, textiles and information technology. This also presents challenges in terms of education and employment.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh is the third most populous country in South Asia, with an official population estimate of 170 million people. The population is relatively young, with a median age of around 25 years.
However, popular assumptions place the population closer to 200 million, particularly when considering factors such as population growth rates, unregistered individuals and other demographic variations.
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with more than 1,200 people per square kilometer in some areas. Despite its small geographical size, its population makes up a significant portion of South Asia’s total, and it is the 8th most populous country in the world.
The population of Bangladesh has been growing rapidly over the past few decades, although the growth rate has slowed somewhat due to various measures including family planning.
Bangladesh faces various challenges because of rapid urbanization, including pressure on infrastructure, poverty and environmental degradation. Besides urbanization, the climate change factor and flooding are also contributing to the environmental deterioration.
The largest city, Dhaka, is one of the most populous urban areas in the world and is the economic and political center of the country.
Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has made impressive strides in areas like economic growth, poverty reduction, health care and education. The nation’s textile industry is one of the largest in the world, contributing significantly to its GDP and export revenue.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan ranks as the fourth most populous country in South Asia, with a population of over 40 million people. While Afghanistan’s population is smaller compared to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, it still plays a significant role in the region’s demographic profile.
Afghanistan is a landlocked country, located at the crossroads of Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. The country has a rich history of diverse ethnic groups, languages and cultures. The main ethnic groups in Afghanistan include Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and Uzbeks. Pashto and Dari (a variety of Persian) are the two official languages.
Over the past few decades, Afghanistan has faced significant challenges, including political instability, conflict and economic hardships. The population has been affected by internal displacement, refugee crises, and the long-standing impact of war.
Despite these challenges, Afghanistan has a young population, with a median age of lower than 18 years, and many Afghans are engaged in agriculture and trade, and, in recent years, efforts toward rebuilding the country’s infrastructure and institutions.
The capital, Kabul, is the largest city and the political and economic center of the country. Afghanistan’s population is growing, but it continues to face challenges in terms of education, healthcare and governance, which have been exacerbated by conflict and limited access to resources.
Nepal
Nepal is the fifth most populous country in South Asia, with an estimated population of around 30 million people. While Nepal’s population is smaller than the larger South Asian nations, it still plays a key role in the region’s demographic and cultural landscape.
Nepal is a landlocked country located in the Himalayas, bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east and west. Its population is diverse, with over 100 ethnic groups and more than 120 languages spoken, including Nepali, the official language. The largest ethnic groups are the Chhetris, Brahmins, Magars and Tharus.
Kathmandu, the capital, is the largest city in Nepal and serves as its economic, cultural and political hub. However, much of Nepal’s population lives in rural areas, with agriculture being the primary occupation for many people.
Despite facing challenges like political instability, poverty and a heavy reliance on agriculture, Nepal has made progress in areas like education, healthcare and tourism in recent years.
Nepal is known for its stunning natural beauty, including the towering peaks of the Himalayas, such as Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth.
The country also has a young population, with a significant proportion under the age of 25, which offers both challenges and opportunities for development.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is the sixth most populous country in South Asia, with an estimated population of around 22 million people.
While Sri Lanka is smaller than many of its South Asian neighbors in terms of population, it holds an important place both regionally and globally, due to its strategic location in the Indian Ocean and its rich cultural heritage.
Sri Lanka’s population is ethnically diverse, with the Sinhalese forming the largest ethnic group, followed by Tamils (both ethnic Tamils and Tamil-speaking people from India) and smaller groups like Muslims, Moors and Burghers.
Sinhala and Tamil are the official languages, with English also widely used, especially in government and business.
Colombo, the commercial capital, and Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital, are the two largest cities in the country. The island’s population density is high, and much of the population is concentrated along the coastal areas and in the central region.
Sri Lanka has a relatively high literacy rate and life expectancy compared to many countries in South Asia, thanks to significant investments in education and healthcare over the years.
However, the country faces challenges such as political instability, the aftereffects of the civil war that ended in 2009, economic fluctuations and vulnerability to natural disasters like floods and tsunamis.
The country is also a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, ancient historical sites and vibrant wildlife, which significantly contribute to its economy.
Unfortunately, with a median age of around 33 years, Sri Lanka’s population is the oldest among all the South Asian nations.
Bhutan
Bhutan has the second smallest population among the South Asian countries, with an estimated population of around 800,000 (0.8 million) people. Despite its small size, both in terms of population and land area, Bhutan is known for its unique approach to development and its rich cultural heritage.
Bhutan is a landlocked country nestled in the eastern Himalayas, bordered by China to the north and India to the south, east and west.
Bhutan’s population is largely ethnic Ngalops and Sharchops, with a significant minority of Lhotshampas (Nepali-speaking people) living in the southern region. The official language is Dzongkha.
The majority of the population practices Buddhism, particularly the Drukpa Kagyu tradition, with Hinduism being the second-largest religion.
The capital, Thimphu, is the largest city and the political, economic and cultural center of Bhutan. Despite being a small country, Bhutan is renowned for its commitment to Gross National Happiness (GNH), a development philosophy that prioritizes well-being, environmental sustainability and cultural preservation over purely economic measures like Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This approach has earned Bhutan international recognition, especially for its environmental policies, such as being one of the few carbon-negative countries in the world.
Like Sri Lanka, Bhutan’s population is relatively older than most of its neighbors in South Asia, with a median age of around 30 years.
The country has made significant strides in education, health and infrastructure, though it still faces challenges in terms of its small economy, limited natural resources and reliance on India for trade and energy.
Maldives
The Maldives has the smallest population in South Asia, with an estimated population of around 500,000 (0.5 million) people.
The Maldives is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India, consisting of about 1,200 islands grouped into 26 atolls. The majority of the population lives on just a few of the larger islands, with the capital city, Malé, being the most populous and the political and economic center of the country.
While the Maldives has a relatively small population, it is a major tourist destination, known for its luxurious resorts, crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. Tourism is a significant part of the country’s economy, contributing heavily to GDP and employment.
The Maldives’ population is ethnically homogeneous, with the majority being of Indo-Aryan descent, and Dhivehi is the official language. The country is also predominantly Muslim, with Islam being the state religion.
Despite its small size, the Maldives faces challenges, such as rising sea levels due to climate change, which pose a direct threat to its low-lying islands. Because of this, the nation has been a vocal advocate for climate action on the global stage, highlighting its vulnerability to environmental changes.
The Maldives remains a unique blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty and modern luxury, with a small but growing population that enjoys a relatively high standard of living compared to many other South Asian countries.
Like Sri Lanka and Bhutan, the Maldives’ population is relatively older than most of its South Asian neighbors, with a median age of around 31 years.
Shongjog 