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"Moment of Zen"

Will India Become a Global Superpower? | Samo Burja

Apr 5, 2025
Samo Burja, an expert on demographics and geopolitics, joins Erik Torenberg to dissect India's potential as a global superpower. They delve into India's demographic shifts, including its surprising decline in fertility rates and the bureaucratic hurdles hampering industrial growth. The discussion highlights Modi's nationalism, India’s digital aspirations, and the complex rivalry with China and Pakistan. Burja explores how institutional barriers could affect India's rise in a rapidly changing multipolar world.
01:06:55

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • India's demographic shift towards a declining fertility rate may lead to an accelerated aging population, presenting future economic challenges.
  • Significant bureaucratic inefficiencies and regulatory barriers impede India's industrial growth, hindering its potential to thrive in the global economy.

Deep dives

Demographics and Future Projections

India's demographic landscape suggests a significant transformation, with its population recently surpassing 1.4 billion, marking it as the most populous country in the world. Current trends indicate that its total fertility rate (TFR) has already dipped below the replacement level, fluctuating just above 2.0. This decline in fertility is not just a product of wealth but mirrors patterns seen in nations like Sweden and the United States, where TFRs are even lower. The implications of these trends signal a future where India might face rapid aging, potentially mirroring the demographic challenges currently faced by countries like Japan and South Korea.

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