India is currently experiencing one of the largest rural to urban migrations in human history as the country undergoes a massive move towards its cities. This demographic shift is occurring as India is on track to surpass China as the world's most populous nation, a projection expected to happen by mid-2023 according to the United Nations. While experts highlight India's demographic advantage as having the largest number of young workers, it also poses a major challenge of providing enough jobs to them. This challenge is driving the migration as many individuals in rural areas are not earning enough money, leading them to move to cities in search of better opportunities driven by both hope and desperation.

In Mumbai, India's financial hub, a large group of young men gathered recently as policemen struggled to control the crowd with their batons. These candidates had traveled from different parts of the state in hopes of securing a coveted position in the police force. The competition was fierce, with 650,000 applicants vying for just 8,000 vacancies.

This is why Sunil Bamble, who had already attempted twice, traveled over 200km (124 miles) for another chance. "If I get this job, my life will change, as I will have a fixed income," he said, raising his hand in prayer for success as he finished his paperwork. "I will have job security and will be able to get married."

A UN report released this week revealed that economic issues are the top concern for 63% of Indians when it comes to population-related matters, reflecting the anxiety felt by many. While India's economy is expanding rapidly and presenting a large market for the world, its unemployment rate remains high at 8%, as reported by the independent think-tank, Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE).

This is particularly evident among young people who receive an education that does not equip them with the skills required to keep pace with the high-end service industries, such as software and finance that are driving the country's growth. Therefore, they strive to secure government jobs, such as positions in the police force. Even if Mr Bamble does not succeed in securing his dream job, he plans to relocate to the city, despite the challenges it presents. "There are more employment opportunities, but also more difficulties," he says. "I'll have to pay much higher prices for things here than I do in the village, and I won't be able to live comfortably," he adds. "But I'm willing to take the chance." This is a risk that many in Nala Sopara, a suburb on the outskirts of Mumbai, have taken. The migrant community has grown by 200% over the past two decades.

In a low-income residential area, laundry is hung from the windows in the narrow alleys while children gather around the doorways. Inside some of the dimly lit rooms, women are busy twisting plastic and coils together to make hair clips. It's a simple job, but it helps them earn a living.

Ranjana Vishwakarma, 33, expresses her joy in earning an income, "I can now buy whatever I want," she says with a chuckle. "I can purchase a sari for myself or buy something that my child needs, such as a book, pencil or eraser for school. I no longer have to rely on my husband for everything."

In the cramped single room that Ranjana Vishwakarma shares with her son and a kitchen, her son studies quietly while she twists together hair clips for a living. She has lived this way for a decade, but she hopes her son will have a better future. "He is getting his education in the city so he will make something of it," she says, "get a job and move forward in life." Vishal Dubey, her neighbour from the same state of Uttar Pradesh, works as a salesman for an internet company, which involves long 12-hour days with lengthy commutes. Despite this, he is able to assist his father, who drives a rickshaw, and pay for his mother's medical bills. Recently, he even registered to purchase a house in instalments, fulfilling "small dreams" while also dreaming big.

"I aspire to earn enough money to help people in my hometown," he expresses his hope. "I want my village to prosper and not be forced to migrate to cities like me. They should not have to encounter the challenges I'm experiencing."

However, this dream may not align with India's actuality. It is predicted that at least 800 million Indians will reside in urban areas by the middle of the century, accounting for over half of the population.