India has overtaken China to become the world's most populous nation, marking a historic demographic shift that is already reshaping global economic growth, labour markets and geopolitical influence.

According to the United Nations World Population Prospects 2024 , India's population is projected to continue growing for several decades, while China's is expected to decline steadily as the effects of low birth rates and population ageing intensify.

The latest UN projections highlight a dramatic reversal in demographic fortunes between the two Asian giants, which together account for more than one-third of humanity.

UN estimates indicate that India's population has risen from approximately 201 million in 1800 to around 1.46 billion today , making it the world's largest country by population .

Under the UN's medium-fertility scenario, India's population is projected to reach roughly 1.68 billion by 2050, before gradually declining to around 1.51 billion by the end of the century.

The growth has been driven by improvements in healthcare, declining mortality rates and a relatively young population. India currently has one of the world's largest working-age populations, a demographic advantage economists often refer to as a "demographic dividend."

However, experts note that turning population growth into economic prosperity will depend on creating sufficient jobs, expanding education and improving infrastructure.

China's demographic story is moving in the opposite direction.

The UN estimates China's population grew from around 330 million in 1800 to a peak of more than 1.4 billion in recent decades. Yet falling fertility rates, rising living costs and longer life expectancy have contributed to a sustained population decline.

Under current projections, China's population is expected to fall from about 1.41 billion today to 1.26 billion by 2050, before shrinking further to approximately 633 million by 2100.

The decline reflects one of the most significant demographic transitions in modern history. China's fertility rate remains well below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman despite policy efforts aimed at encouraging larger families.

Speaking at a "For Life, to Save Bolivia" rally in Chimore on Wednesday, Morales claimed the government was deepening ties with Washington while the country faced widespread unrest.

"It has already signed several energy and mining agreements. What does energy mean? Lithium. In the middle of this conflict, they continue signing agreements with the United States," Morales said.

"They are selling Bolivia."

Morales also accused the administration of links to drug trafficking and state repression.

"The drug traffickers are in the government," Morales claimed.

"Terrorism is cutting off electricity, cutting off basic services such as telephone service, closing banks. They have shut down Banco Union. That is terrorism, state terrorism. And even worse, Rodrigo Paz publicly says that he is calling on society to confront the protesters, to make brothers fight against brothers."

The former president further alleged that the United States was increasing its presence in Bolivia to protect its interests and support the government.

"Americans are coming here to shoot at us, and now the military base is returning. A month ago, the United States Southern Command arrived, and a military commander was reporting to them. What a disgrace, reporting to the Americans. The DEA is one thing, and the United States Southern Command is another," Morales stated.

His comments came during a march organised with the Six Federations of the Cochabamba Tropics, a coalition of coca-grower and peasant organisations.

The demonstration forms part of a broader wave of anti-government protests that have spread across Bolivia in recent months. Labour unions, miners, teachers, transport workers and rural groups have demanded economic relief, while some protesters are calling for President Paz to resign.

Morales is also demanding that Paz step down and call snap elections.

Earlier this week, Paz said demonstrations calling for his resignation were being promoted by "narcoterrorists."

The president has also backed legislation that would expand his powers to declare a state of emergency, allowing the armed forces to assist police in removing roadblocks and potentially restricting freedom of movement and assembly.