According to a report by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), India witnessed a significant decline in its Hindu population, dropping by almost 8% from 1950 to 2015, while the Muslim community saw a remarkable 43% increase during the same period.
Over the course of 65 years, the Hindu population in India decreased from constituting 84% of the total population in 1950 to 78% in 2015. Conversely, minority groups such as Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Sikhs experienced a rise in their respective shares, although the number of Jains and Parsis decreased.
Between 1950 and 2015, the Muslim community in India experienced a notable surge of 43.15%, while Christians, Sikhs, and Buddhists also saw increases of 5.38%, 6.58%, and slight increments respectively. However, the share of Jains and Parsis in the population mix declined significantly.
The Muslim population share increased from 9.84% to 14.09% over the same 65-year period, as per the findings of the EAC-PM study. India’s decline in the Hindu population share is noted as the second-steepest in the region, after Myanmar, which experienced a dramatic 10% drop.
Authored by economists Shamika Ravi, Abraham Jose, and Apurv Kumar Mishra, the report highlights the significant demographic shifts in India, emphasizing the decline in the Hindu population share and the concurrent increase in minority groups. Despite common concerns, the study suggests that minority communities in India are not only protected but are thriving.
Commenting on the findings, Amit Malviya, the head of BJP’s IT Cell, attributed the decline in Hindu population share to decades of Congress rule, suggesting a need for vigilance to safeguard the interests of Hindus.
