A United Nations report says India's population is expected to rise by some 270 million people by 2050. It's expected to overtake China as the worlds most populous country and remain in that position till the end of the century. So can India make the most of the demographic dividend or will it face new challenges. CGTN's Ravinder Bawa has the story.

India's estimated population is 1.37 billion people at present. It is projected to overtake China's population by 2027. It is assessed that the country's population has doubled in size in the last 40 years.

Long queues are common in Indian cities. This is a line for free food outside a premiere government hospital in Delhi. Most of them are here from far off places for medical treatment as they do not have access to good healthcare in their states. Common people like these face the risk of being denied access to resources as the population rises. It is feared that the rising numbers will put severe pressure on resources.

DR. ARGENTINA MATAVEL PICCIN REPRESENTATIVE, UNFPA "If nothing is done to improve the access to provide education and health for all naturally there will be losers and winners and what we are striving for in the new 2030 agenda that was signed by India and we are striving for a world where everyone has an opportunity."

India faces other challenges as well. Almost half of her population is under the age of 25. The demographic dividend can be fully exploited only if the people in the working age are actually working. The challenge in the next fifteen years is to take steps to create a growth momentum to prevent a demographic disaster.

AMITABH BEHAR CEO, OXFAM INDIA "When these children are from ten to 25, that's when they can get into productive activity and if till 25 you have not engaged them in economic activity in constructive social activities then they become a demographic burden that's going to be a huge worry for this country."

Experts believe that India's growing population poses more challenges than opportunities. Unless the government does a balancing act, it will not be able to provide a minimum quality life to every citizen. Ravinder Bawa, Delhi.