India leads world in Gen Z population with 331 million young people
India has the world's largest Generation Z population, followed by China and Pakistan, highlighting the growing importance of young people in shaping economies, labour markets and consumer trends.
Main points
- India has the largest Gen Z population, at an estimated 331.5 million.
- China ranks second with 211.3 million, followed by Pakistan.
- Nigeria leads Africa with approximately 59.8 million Gen Z residents.
India has the world's largest Generation Z population, followed by China and Pakistan, highlighting the growing importance of young people in shaping economies, labour markets and consumer trends.
India is home to an estimated 331.5 million people born between 1997 and 2009, according to figures presented in an infographic based on the United Nations' World Population Prospects 2024.
China ranks second with 211.3 million, followed by Pakistan with 62.3 million and the United States with 60.3 million.
Nigeria has Africa's largest Gen Z population, at approximately 59.8 million, ahead of Indonesia's 58.5 million.
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Bangladesh follows with 42 million, Brazil with 40 million, Ethiopia with 35.3 million and Mexico with 28.5 million.
Together, these ten countries account for approximately 929 million people in the age group, based on the infographic's figures.
The figures underline the importance of Asia, which accounts for six of the ten countries on the list. Africa is represented by Nigeria and Ethiopia, while Brazil and Mexico represent Latin America.
The UN's World Population Prospects 2024 projects continued population growth in India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Indonesia through at least 2054. China's population, by contrast, has already peaked and is expected to decline.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
