Population (India Basic)

Population Size And Distribution

India's population is characterized by its sheer size and uneven distribution across the country. Understanding these aspects is crucial for planning and development.

Population Size:

• As per the Census of India 2011, India's population was 1,210.9 million (or 1.21 billion).
• India is the second most populous country in the world, after China. However, recent estimates suggest India may have surpassed China in population.
• India accounts for about 17.5% of the world's total population.

Population Distribution:

• Uneven Distribution: India's population is not uniformly distributed. Some regions have a very high concentration of people, while others are sparsely populated.
• High Density Areas: The northern plains, particularly the Indo-Gangetic Plain, are the most densely populated regions. States like Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Delhi have very high population densities due to factors like fertile plains, adequate rainfall, well-developed infrastructure, and greater economic opportunities.
• Low Density Areas: Sparsely populated regions include mountainous areas (like the Himalayas in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), desert regions (parts of Rajasthan), and forested or tribal areas. These areas often have challenging terrains, harsh climates, and limited economic activities.
• Urban vs. Rural Distribution: A significant majority of India's population still resides in rural areas, although urbanization is steadily increasing. Cities, especially metropolitan areas, tend to have very high population densities.

Population Density in India:

• The overall population density of India, as per the 2011 Census, was 382 persons per square kilometer.
• This density varies widely among states and regions.

Population Growth And Processes Of Population Change

India has experienced significant population growth over the past century. This growth is a result of the interplay between birth rates, death rates, and migration.

Population Growth in India:

• Historical Trends: India's population remained relatively stable for most of the 20th century until the mid-1940s, with high birth rates offset by equally high death rates.
• Post-Independence Growth: Since the mid-20th century, improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and food availability led to a sharp decline in death rates while birth rates remained high, resulting in a period of rapid population growth.
• Recent Trends: While the birth rate has started declining in recent decades, the death rate has fallen even more significantly, leading to a continued, albeit slowing, natural increase in population.

Processes of Population Change:

• Birth Rate (Fertility):
  • High Birth Rate: Historically, India had high birth rates due to factors like early marriage, poverty, lack of awareness about family planning, and the desire for male heirs.
  • Declining Birth Rate: In recent years, the birth rate has been declining due to increased literacy (especially among women), greater access to education and healthcare, increased use of contraception, and urbanization.
  • Total Fertility Rate (TFR): The average number of children born to a woman. India's TFR has fallen to below replacement level in many states, but remains higher in some northern states.
• Death Rate (Mortality):
  • High Death Rate (Historically): High death rates were caused by frequent famines, epidemics, and lack of adequate healthcare.
  • Falling Death Rate: Significant improvements in public health, medicine (vaccinations, antibiotics), sanitation, and food supply have led to a dramatic decline in death rates, particularly infant and maternal mortality.
  • Increased Life Expectancy: This decline in mortality has led to a substantial increase in the average life expectancy at birth in India.
• Migration:
  • Internal Migration: A significant process where people move from rural to urban areas (rural-urban migration) in search of better employment, education, and living conditions. Migration also occurs between states.
  • International Migration: Emigration of Indians to other countries for work or settlement, and immigration of people from neighboring countries into India.
  • Impact: Migration influences the population size and distribution of specific regions but has a less direct impact on the national population total compared to birth and death rates unless there are large-scale international movements.

Population Growth Rate: The annual rate of population growth in India has been declining over the years, but due to the large base population, the absolute increase in population each year remains substantial.

Characteristics Or Qualities Of The Population

The characteristics of India's population provide insights into its socio-economic structure, development levels, and future trends.

Age Composition

Structure: India's population has a young age structure, with a significant proportion of its population in the younger age groups.

• Children (0-14 years): Form a substantial part of the population, indicating a historically high birth rate. While this proportion is decreasing, it remains high compared to developed nations.
• Working Age (15-59 years): This group constitutes the largest segment and represents the potential workforce. The growing size of this demographic "bulge" presents both an opportunity (demographic dividend) and a challenge (providing employment and education).
• Elderly (60+ years): This segment is growing due to increased life expectancy. While smaller than in developed countries, its increasing size necessitates greater attention to healthcare and social security for the aged.

Dependency Ratio: India's dependency ratio (ratio of young and old dependents to the working-age population) is relatively high due to the large youth population.

Sex Ratio

Definition: The number of females per 1,000 males.

India's Sex Ratio: As per the 2011 Census, the sex ratio in India was 943 females per 1,000 males. This indicates a deficit of females in the population.

Regional Variations: The sex ratio varies significantly across states. Some southern states (like Kerala) have a favourable sex ratio (more females), while some northern states (like Haryana, Punjab) have a low sex ratio, often attributed to factors like female infanticide, female foeticide, and socioeconomic biases.

Concerns: A persistently skewed sex ratio is a matter of serious social concern, reflecting gender inequality.

Literacy Rates

Definition: Percentage of the population aged 7 years and above who can read and write.

India's Literacy: India has made significant strides in improving literacy rates. According to the 2011 Census:

• Overall Literacy Rate: 74.04%.
• Male Literacy Rate: 82.14%.
• Female Literacy Rate: 65.46%.

Disparities: There are considerable differences in literacy rates across states, between genders, and between rural and urban areas. Kerala has the highest literacy rate in India.

Occupational Structure

Distribution of Workforce: India's workforce is distributed across primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors.

• Primary Sector (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, Mining): A significant portion of India's workforce is still dependent on agriculture, though this proportion has been declining.
• Secondary Sector (Manufacturing): Employs a smaller but growing percentage of the workforce.
• Tertiary Sector (Services): This sector is rapidly expanding and employs a growing share of the workforce, including IT, healthcare, education, and finance.

Development Indicator: A higher proportion of the workforce in the secondary and tertiary sectors generally indicates a more developed economy.

Health

India's health indicators have improved over the decades, but significant challenges remain.

• Life Expectancy: Has increased significantly, indicating better healthcare and living conditions.
• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): While declining, these rates remain a concern, especially in certain regions, reflecting disparities in healthcare access and quality.
• Nutritional Status: Malnutrition, particularly among children and women, continues to be a significant public health issue.

Adolescent Population

Demographic Significance: India has one of the largest adolescent populations (aged 10-19 years) in the world. This large cohort presents both opportunities (potential demographic dividend) and challenges.

Key Issues: Education, vocational training, reproductive and sexual health, nutrition, and mental well-being are critical areas that need focused attention for this age group.

National Population Policy

India has had various population policies aimed at managing population growth and improving the quality of life. The National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 and its subsequent updates focus on:

• Stabilizing population growth through voluntary means and informed consent.
• Promoting reproductive health and small family norms.
• Improving access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, especially for women and adolescents.
• Addressing gender inequality.

Goals: The ultimate goal is to achieve a stable population in line with national developmental objectives.