Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) in Southern Asia
Southern Asia: Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) was 1.65 million in 2030. ▲ Rising
Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) in Southern Asia, 1990–2030
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2030, working-age population (un estimates and projections) in Southern Asia stood at 1.65 million. That is the highest value across all 41 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 16.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, working-age population (un estimates and projections) in Southern Asia peaked at 1.65 million in 2030 and was at its lowest, 722,203, in 1990.
That places Southern Asia 11th out of 91 groups with data for 2030, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 41 years of available data.
Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) in Southern Asia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 722,203 | — |
| 1991 | 741,135 | +2.6% |
| 1992 | 760,389 | +2.6% |
| 1993 | 779,679 | +2.5% |
| 1994 | 799,436 | +2.5% |
| 1995 | 820,415 | +2.6% |
| 1996 | 842,425 | +2.7% |
| 1997 | 865,214 | +2.7% |
| 1998 | 888,738 | +2.7% |
| 1999 | 912,838 | +2.7% |
| 2000 | 937,279 | +2.7% |
| 2001 | 961,936 | +2.6% |
| 2002 | 985,999 | +2.5% |
| 2003 | 1.01 million | +2.4% |
| 2004 | 1.03 million | +2.5% |
| 2005 | 1.06 million | +2.4% |
| 2006 | 1.08 million | +2.3% |
| 2007 | 1.11 million | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 1.13 million | +2.2% |
| 2009 | 1.16 million | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 1.18 million | +2.1% |
| 2011 | 1.21 million | +2.1% |
| 2012 | 1.23 million | +2.0% |
| 2013 | 1.26 million | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 1.28 million | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 1.30 million | +1.9% |
| 2016 | 1.33 million | +1.9% |
| 2017 | 1.35 million | +1.8% |
| 2018 | 1.38 million | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 1.40 million | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 1.42 million | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 1.45 million | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 1.47 million | +1.5% |
| 2023 | 1.49 million | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 1.51 million | +1.6% |
| 2025 | 1.54 million | +1.6% |
| 2026 | 1.56 million | +1.5% |
| 2027 | 1.58 million | +1.5% |
| 2028 | 1.61 million | +1.5% |
| 2029 | 1.63 million | +1.4% |
| 2030 | 1.65 million | +1.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 813,247 | 722,203 | 912,838 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.05 million | 937,279 | 1.16 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.29 million | 1.18 million | 1.40 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.53 million | 1.42 million | 1.63 million | 10 |
| 2030s | 1.65 million | 1.65 million | 1.65 million | 1 |
Countries ranked near Southern Asia
- 8 Bangladesh 137,205 compare
- 9 Russian Federation 120,569 compare
- 10 Japan 107,155 compare
- 11 Mexico 106,708 compare
- 12 Ethiopia 95,403 compare
- 13 Philippines 92,475 compare
- 14 Egypt 90,490 compare
More gender data for Southern Asia
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) 536,648 (2030)
- Child population (UN estimates and projections) (0-14), annual growth -0.2956 % change on previous year (2030)
- Population 1.65 million (2030)
- Inactivity rate (ILO modelled estimates) 45.73 (2027)
- Number of seats held by women in national parliaments 188 (2026)
- Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments 12.3% (2026)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia 49.3% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, pregnant 42.8% (2023)
- Proportion of women aged 15-49 years with anaemia, non-pregnant 49.6% (2023)
- Proportion of women in managerial positions - 13th ICLS 10.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is working-age population (un estimates and projections) in Southern Asia?
- Working-age population (un estimates and projections) in Southern Asia was 1.65 million in 2030, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest working-age population (un estimates and projections) recorded in Southern Asia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.65 million in 2030.
- What is the lowest working-age population (un estimates and projections) recorded in Southern Asia?
- The lowest recorded value was 722,203 in 1990.
- How does Southern Asia rank for working-age population (un estimates and projections)?
- Southern Asia ranks 11th out of 91 groups with data for 2030.
- Is working-age population (un estimates and projections) rising or falling in Southern Asia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Southern Asia data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Working-age population (UN estimates and projections) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Imputed observations are not based on national data, are subject to high uncertainty and should not be used for country comparisons or rankings. The total population comprises persons of all ages who were living in the country during the reference period, regardless of residency status or citizenship. The source for the population figures used is the United Nations' World Population Prospects. The working-age population is commonly defined as persons aged 15 years and older. For more information, refer to the ILO Modelled Estimates (ILOEST) database description.