Sun Nov 30 11:59:18 UTC 2025: News Article:

Island Populations to See Modest Growth by 2051, Report Projects

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – A new report projects population increases for India’s island territories, Lakshadweep Islands and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, by 2051. The study, titled “Unravelling India’s Demographic Future: Population Projections for States and Union Territories 2021-2051,” was released by the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD) and the Population Foundation of India (PFI).

Lakshadweep, a group of islands in the Arabian Sea, is projected to see a 9.68% population increase, growing from 67,642 in 2016 to 74,194 in 2051. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal, are expected to experience a 5.73% rise, with the population increasing from 398,310 to 421,135 during the same period.

The report, led by S. Irudaya Rajan of IIMAD and J. Retnakumar, uses mathematical methods to project population growth, accounting for the erratic decadal growth rates in smaller states and union territories where consistent demographic data is limited.

Gender-wise projections indicate that Lakshadweep will see an increase in the male population from 34,716 to 37,785 and the female population from 32,926 to 36,319. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are projected to have a male population increase from 213,467 to 226,139 and a female population increase from 184,843 to 194,996.

The report’s projections rely on demographic datasets including the Census, Sample Registration System, National Family Health Survey, Civil Registration System and the National Sample Survey.

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