Hindu Population Shrunk By 7.8% As Minorities Grew In India During 1950-2015: PM-EAC Study

A recent study by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) reveals intriguing trends in India's religious demographics. Between 1950 and 2015, India saw a notable decline in the population share of Hindus, dropping by 7.8%, while Muslims experienced a substantial 43.15% increase. This shift mirrors similar patterns in Nepal and Myanmar. However, the scenario differs in 38 Islamic nations, where the Muslim population has grown.

The report highlights that, except for Parsis and Jains, all other religious minorities in India, including Christians, Buddhists, and Sikhs, witnessed a rise in their population share, collectively reaching 6.58% during the same period.

Meanwhile, the Hindu population in India decreased from 84.68% in 1950 to 78.06% in 2015, while the Muslim population rose from 9.84% to 14.09% during the same period.

While the Hindu population declined, India's minorities saw an increase in their share from 1950 to 2015. Christians rose from 2.24% to 2.36%, Sikhs from 1.24% to 1.85%, and Buddhists from 0.05% to 0.81%. In contrast, Jains' share declined from 0.45% to 0.36%, and Parsis witnessed an 85% drop from 0.03% to 0.004%.

The study also notes a global trend, indicating a decline in the majority population in 123 countries, compared to an increase in 44 countries. This change in population dynamics serves as a proxy for the status of minorities in a country over time, suggesting that societies fostering minority growth are likely to see their numbers increase or stabilize over generations.