New UNFPA global survey finds young Indians remain optimistic about the future, while economic and social realities continue to shape their life choices

A new UNFPA survey of 108,000 young adults finds that most Indians still want children, but economic pressure and gender inequality are pushing the decision further and further away.

India is navigating one of the most significant demographic transitions in its history — changing age structures, increasing longevity, rapid urbanisation — and this World Population Day is a chance to look past the population numbers to the young people driving them. New findings from UNFPA's Lives, Choices and Futures — Demographic Futures Survey echo a broader global pattern: young people are not turning away from relationships or family life, but their decisions are increasingly shaped by financial security, stable employment, housing, gender equality and confidence in the future.

India at a glance

• 83% (approx.) remain optimistic about the future — more than eight in ten respondents said they feel positive or very positive about the future.
• 47% are concerned about growing uncertainties — nearly half said they are very worried about conflict, economic insecurity and inequality.
• Aspirations and lived realities do not always align — women aged 18 to 39 reported an ideal family size of 2.1 children, compared with an average of 1.0 child among women aged 35 to 39. Men reported an ideal family size of 2.2 children, compared with an average of 1.1 children among men aged 35 to 39.
• Parenthood remains part of many future plans — among respondents aged 35 to 39 who do not currently have children, nearly 85% said they would ideally like to become parents.

"World Population Day reminds us that population is ultimately about people, their lives and their aspirations, not just numbers," said Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA India Representative. "Young people across India are telling us they remain hopeful about their futures. Our responsibility is to ensure that hope is matched by opportunity. When young people can complete their education, access quality healthcare, find decent work, live free from discrimination and exercise their rights and choices, they are better able to build the lives they aspire to. That strengthens families, communities and India's future."

As India's demographic story continues to evolve, its greatest opportunity lies not in the size of its population, but in the potential of its young people. Realising India's demographic dividend will depend on expanding opportunities for young women and young men through quality education, decent work, accessible healthcare, social protection and gender equality. Unlocking that potential will also require a gender dividend, where every young woman has the rights, choices and opportunities to participate equally in shaping her own future and the country's development.

About the survey: The 2026 Demographic Futures Survey gathered the perspectives of more than 108,000 internet-connected young adults aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries, including 1,722 respondents in India. It reflects the views of internet-connected young adults and is not nationally representative; the findings should not be interpreted as population-level estimates.

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