Demographic Politics in Asia’s Super-Size Democracies: India, Bangladesh and Pakistan

Abstract

With around 23% of the global population, democratic countries of the former Indian sub-continent—India, Pakistan and Bangladesh—have an important role in shaping the future of global demography. Population continues to grow in these countries, although at varied pace and demographic diversity is wide. This paper explores the demographic changes in these Asian super-size economies and their political repercussions, with a special focus on the world’s largest democracy—India. To put the political consequences of varied demographic changes in perspective, we discuss the past and future demographic profile in these countries and the factors leading to such changes. In addition, we highlight the regional and religious diversity within these Asian democracies. The chapter elucidates that while India and Bangladesh have similar patterns of changes in age structure and fertility transition, Pakistan is comparatively at earlier stages of such demographic transitions. Consequently, in the coming three decades, while India and Bangladesh will show signs of ageing society, Pakistan will remain a young country. Striking differentials in regional and religious patterns of demographic heterogeneity are observed within India and Pakistan. Such demographic sketches have significant political repercussions at various levels. The chapter opens wider discussions on the political challenges of various demographic changes and illuminates the enormous importance of demographic patterns on the political order among these Asian Giants in population size.