India is expected to have 1.66 billion people by 2050 against 1.19 billion at present, accounting for 18% of the world population. At the same time, world population would rise 36% to 9.19 billion from 6.75 billion in 2008, estimates the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The total fertility rate in the country is 2.78 at present, higher than 1.73 of China, 2.05 of the US and 1.52 of Canada, the UNFPA says in its report titled ?State of World Population 2008?, released on Wednesday. The theme of the report is ?Reaching common Ground: Culture, Gender and Human Rights?. About 29% people in the country are living in urban areas. 3.4 persons in rural areas are dependent on a hectare of farm land. The comparative figures for rural population that depends on farm land is 5.4 for China, and nil for the US and Canada.

While infant mortality per 1,000 live births in India is 54, the maternal mortality ratio is 450 per one lakh live births. Births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 is 62, the report states. The HIV prevalence rate for men aged 15-49 is found to be 0.4%. The respective percentage for women is 0.3. Indicating the high quality of child delivery. Infant mortality in developed countries like Canada and the US is under 10.

Life expectancy in India, the report states, is 63.3 for men and 66.6 for women. In the US, it is 75.7 for men and 80.9 for women. The government expenditure on health in India is 1% of gross domestic product, the UNFPA said. The US government, on the other hand, spends 7.2% of its GDP on health. Expenditure on primary students by the Indian government is 11.1%, while in the US it is 21.5%. The percentage of illiterate people below the age of 15 years in the country stands at 27 for males and 52 for females. Gross enrollment (including late starters) in primary school per 100 individuals is 116 for men and 113 for females. But by the time they reach fifth grade, the number comes down to 73 for both the genders. Only 59 males per 100 individuals reach the secondary school, while the number for women is 49.

The report notes that sex selection is a major challenge in India, but cultural gatekeepers and sensitive development policies and practices can help curb harmful practices against women to promote human rights, gender equality and women?s empowerment.