According to data released by the United Nations on Wednesday, India is on track to surpass China as the world's most populous country, with an estimated population of 1.4286 billion by mid-year, compared to China's 1.4257 billion.
This represents a difference of almost 3 million people, according to the UNFPA's "State of World Population Report" for this year.
The report reflects information available until February, and it shows that the United States is a distant third, with an estimated population of 340 million as of the end of June.
Although population experts had previously projected that India would surpass China's population this month, the UN report does not specify a date.
UN officials have explained that it is difficult to pinpoint a precise date due to uncertainties surrounding the data from India and China.
For example, India's last census was conducted in 2011, and the next census, originally scheduled for 2021, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
