China and India: The Asian Giants Are Heading Down Different Demographic Paths

摘要

Demographic contrasts between China and India will become more pronounced in the coming decades, and these differences hold implications for the countries relative economic prospects. China s population is larger than India s, but India s population is expected to surpass China s by 2025. C hina s population is older than India s and beginning to age rapidly, which may constrain economic growth, whereas an increasing percentage of India s population will consist of working-age people through 2030, giving India an important demographic advantage. How much these demographic changes affect economic growth will depend on several other factors, including the infrastructure, education system, and health care systems in each country and how well each country integrates women into its workforce.