What is the approximate percentage share of the population of India in the total population of the world?

Introduction / Context:
India is widely known as one of the most populous countries in the world. Understanding its share in the global population provides context for discussions on resources, development, and international comparisons. Exam questions often ask for an approximate percentage of the world population represented by India. This question focuses on that approximate share, using simple rounded figures.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are asked for the approximate percentage of the world population made up by residents of India.
• The options given are 6 percent, 26 percent, 16 percent, and 36 percent.
• We assume a typical exam context where India is considered to have around one sixth of the world population.
• Exact current values may shift slightly, but the common rounded figure remains a useful approximation.

Concept / Approach:
For many years, India has been described as having about one sixth of the world population. One sixth expressed as a percentage is approximately 16.7 percent. In exam questions, this is often rounded to 16 percent. The other options are either far too low or far too high when compared with standard demographic data. Thus, 16 percent is the closest and most widely accepted approximation to India's share of world population in many general knowledge questions.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the common statement that India has roughly one sixth of the world population.Step 2: Convert one sixth into a percentage by computing 100 / 6, which is about 16.7 percent.Step 3: Look at the options: 6 percent is far too low, while 26 and 36 percent are extremely high and unrealistic.Step 4: The value 16 percent is closest to the approximate figure of about 16.7 percent.Step 5: Therefore, 16 percent is the correct approximate share.

Verification / Alternative check:
Demographic summaries often compare India and China as the two most populous countries, each with around 15 to 20 percent of the world total in the past. Textbooks and exam guides typically quote India's share as about 16 percent. None of the other options match commonly cited figures. This repeated use of 16 percent as the approximate ratio confirms that it is the correct choice here.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
6 percent: This severely underestimates India's share in world population and does not match standard demographic descriptions.

26 percent: This would imply that over a quarter of the world population lives in India, which is much higher than accepted estimates.

36 percent: This would mean more than a third of the world population is in India, which is clearly unrealistic.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may be misled by the large absolute population of India and pick very high percentages such as 26 or 36 percent. Others may underestimate and choose very low values. A reliable memory technique is to remember that India accounts for roughly one out of every six people on the planet, which directly points to a figure around 16 to 17 percent.

Final Answer:
The approximate percentage share of India in world population is about 16 percent.