INDIA'S population climbed at an average annual rate of 1.2 per cent between 2010 and 2019 to 1.36 billion, a UN report said.
The country’s population growth during the nine-year period was more than double the annual growth rate of the world’s most populous country - China, the United Nations Population Fund said in a report.
India's population in 2019 stood at 1.36 billion, growing from 942.2 million in 1994, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency added.
According to the State of World Population 2019 report, China's population was at 1.42 billion in 2019, growing from 1.23 billion in 1994.
China's population grew at an average annual rate of 0.5 per cent between 2010 and 2019.
In India, the total fertility rate per woman (the average number of children per woman) was 5.6 in 1969, dropping to 3.7 in 1994, and 2.3 in 2019.
On the positive side, India recorded an improvement in the life expectancy at birth.
The life expectancy at birth in 1969 was 47 years, growing to 60 years in 1994, and 69 years in 2019.
The report showed that 67 per cent of the country's population was in the 15-64 age bracket, whereas six per cent of the population was of the age 65 and above.
Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the country declined from 488 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1994 to 174 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015.
Shein’s UK sales hit £2.05bn in 2024, up 32.3 per cent year-on-year, driven by younger shoppers.
The retailer benefits from import tax loopholes unavailable to high street rivals.
Faces mounting criticism over labour practices and sustainability as it eyes a London listing.
Tax edge drives growth
Chinese fashion giant Shein is transforming Britain’s online clothing market, capturing a third of women aged 16 to 24 while benefiting from tax breaks unavailable to high street rivals.
The fast-fashion retailer’s UK sales surged 32.3 per cent to £2.05bn in 2024, according to company filings, with pre-tax profits rising to £38.3m from £24.4m the previous year. The growth comes as established players like Asos struggle in an increasingly competitive landscape where young consumers prioritise value above all else.
Shein has partly benefited from a tax break on import duty for goods worth less than £135 sent directly to consumers, The rule lets overseas sellers send low-value goods to the UK tax-free, disadvantaging local businesses.
“The growth of Shein and Temu is a huge factor,” said Tamara Sender Ceron, associate director of fashion retail research at Mintel told The Guardian. “It is particularly successful among younger shoppers. It is also a threat to other fashion retailers such as Primark and H&M because of its ultra-low price model that nobody can compete with. It’s changed the market.
"The market dynamics reflect broader shifts in consumer behaviour. Online fashion sales reached £34bn last year, up 3 per cent, according to Mintel, but shoppers have become more cautious as disposable incomes shrink, and fashion competes with holidays, festivals, and streaming services for wallet share.
Scrutiny builds
Despite its commercial success, Shein faces mounting scrutiny. The company filed initial paperwork last June for a potential London Stock Exchange listing, but critics question its labour practices and environmental impact.
"Regardless of whether Shein gets listed on the London Stock Exchange, no company doing business in the UK should be allowed to play fast and loose with human rights anywhere in their global supply chains,” said Peter Frankental, economic affairs programme director at Amnesty International UK to BBC.
The “de minimis” rule has drawn renewed attention after US President Donald Trump scrapped a similar measure during his trade war with China.
Shein’s UK operation now employs 91 people across offices in Kings Cross and Manchester, focusing primarily on local market expertise.
By clicking the 'Subscribe’, you agree to receive our newsletter, marketing communications and industry
partners/sponsors sharing promotional product information via email and print communication from Garavi Gujarat
Publications Ltd and subsidiaries. You have the right to withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the
unsubscribe link in our emails. We will use your email address to personalize our communications and send you
relevant offers. Your data will be stored up to 30 days after unsubscribing.
Contact us at data@amg.biz to see how we manage and store your data.