Population — Study Notes

1. Introduction

Human beings are central to development, and the population is a key resource that both produces goods and services and consumes them. India is the second most populous country in the world, with more than 1.21 billion people according to the Census of 2011. The people of India are its most important resource, and their distribution, density, growth, and composition are all vital to understanding the country's economy, society, and future.

The study of population helps us understand the size, distribution, and growth of the population, the processes of birth, death, and migration that change it, and the factors that determine its density and composition. Population is not just about numbers; it is about the quality of life, health, education, and the opportunities available to people. This chapter explores the population of India in detail.

2. Population Size and Distribution

2.1 India's Share of the World's Population

India's population, according to the Census of 2011, was 1,210.6 million, which is about 17.5 per cent of the world's population. India is the second most populous country in the world after China. India's population is larger than the combined population of North America, South America, and Australia. The population of India is unevenly distributed across its states.

2.2 Uneven Distribution Across States

The population of India is not evenly distributed. Uttar Pradesh has the highest population of about 199 million, while Sikkim has the lowest population of about 6 lakh. Some states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh have large populations, while states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Sikkim have small populations. The distribution of population is influenced by the availability of water, fertile soil, mineral resources, transport facilities, and economic opportunities.

3. Population Growth and Processes of Population Change

3.1 Population Growth

Population growth refers to the change in the number of people living in a particular area between two points of time. The population growth rate is the rate of change in population. India's population grew rapidly after independence, and the growth rate was highest during the decade 1961-71, when the growth rate was about 2.2 per cent per year.

3.2 Birth Rate, Death Rate, and Migration

The three main processes that change the population are birth rate, death rate, and migration. The birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year, and the death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year. Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories, and it can be internal (within the country) or international. Birth rate and death rate determine the natural growth of the population, while migration changes the population of a particular region.

3.3 Age Composition

The age composition of the population refers to the number of people in different age groups. The population is divided into three age groups: children (below 15 years), working age (15-59 years), and aged (above 59 years). The age composition is important because it determines the dependency ratio and the nature of the working population.

4. Characteristics of the Indian Population

4.1 Adolescent Population

The adolescent population of India, comprising people in the age group of 10-19 years, constitutes about one-fifth of the total population. This is an important group because they are the future working population. The health, nutrition, and education of adolescents are important for the future development of the country. The government has initiated programmes like the National Youth Policy and the Rashtriya Kishore Swasthya Karyakram for the well-being of adolescents.

4.2 Sex Ratio

The sex ratio is defined as the number of females per thousand males in the population. The sex ratio of India, according to the Census of 2011, was 943 females per thousand males. The low sex ratio in some states is a matter of concern, as it reflects the discrimination against women. Kerala has a higher sex ratio, while states like Haryana have a very low sex ratio.

4.3 Literacy Rates

The literacy rate of India has increased over the years. According to the Census of 2011, the literacy rate of India was 73 per cent, with the male literacy rate at 80.9 per cent and the female literacy rate at 64.6 per cent. Kerala has the highest literacy rate, while Bihar has the lowest literacy rate. Literacy is important for the development of the country because it improves the quality of the population.

4.4 Occupational Structure

The occupational structure of a country refers to the distribution of the working population across different occupations. In India, the largest proportion of the working population is engaged in the primary sector (agriculture), followed by the tertiary sector (services), and the secondary sector (industry). About 64 per cent of the people in India are engaged in agriculture and allied activities.

4.5 Health

The health of the population is an important indicator of its quality. The infant mortality rate (IMR) is the number of deaths of infants per thousand live births. The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is the number of maternal deaths per thousand live births. India's infant mortality rate has declined, and life expectancy has increased from about 36.7 years in 1951 to about 68.4 years in 2011. Kerala has the lowest IMR, and some states have made great progress in health indicators.

5. Health, Nutrition, and the NPP 2000

5.1 The National Population Policy (NPP) 2000

The National Population Policy (NPP) was announced in 2000, with the aim of bringing down the population growth rate to a sustainable level. The NPP 2000 aims to achieve the replacement level of fertility, so that the population stabilises. It provides incentives and services for family planning and focuses on the health and education of the population.

5.2 Health and Nutrition

The health and nutrition of the population are crucial for development. The government has implemented various programmes like the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the Mid-day Meal Scheme, and the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to improve the health and nutrition of the people, especially women and children.

Quick Revision Tables

Table 1: Key Population Statistics of India (Census 2011)

Table 2: States with Highest and Lowest Population

Table 3: Population Change Processes

Mind Map

Important Diagrams (SVG)

Diagram 1: Age Composition of the Indian Population

Diagram 2: Processes of Population Change

Common Mistakes

1. Students often say India has the largest population in the world. India is the second most populous country; China has the largest population (though India has since surpassed in later censuses, the NCERT Class 9 data uses 2011 census where China ranks first).
2. Many write that Uttar Pradesh has the highest population density. Uttar Pradesh has the highest total population, but the highest population density is found in states like Bihar.
3. A common error is to confuse birth rate with growth rate. Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons, while growth rate is the percentage change in population.
4. Students often say the sex ratio is the number of males per thousand females. It is the opposite — the number of females per thousand males (943 per 1000 in 2011).
5. Some students believe migration only means moving out of the country. Migration can be internal (within the country) as well as international.
6. It is wrong to say the adolescent population is about half of the total population. It is about one-fifth (people aged 10-19 years).
7. Many students confuse the infant mortality rate with the maternal mortality rate. IMR is deaths of infants per thousand live births, while MMR is maternal deaths per thousand live births.
8. Students often forget that literacy and health are indicators of the 'quality' of the population, not just its size.

Exam Tips

1. Use the Census 2011 figures precisely — total population (1,210.6 million), sex ratio (943), literacy (73 per cent).
2. Distinguish between population size, distribution, and growth with one line each in your answers.
3. For population change, explain birth rate, death rate, and migration, and how each affects growth.
4. Mention the age groups (below 15, 15-59, above 59) and their significance for the dependency ratio.
5. For characteristics, cover adolescent population, sex ratio, literacy, occupational structure, and health.
6. When discussing the quality of population, link health and literacy to the economic development of the country.
7. Mention the National Population Policy 2000 and programmes like ICDS, Mid-day Meal, and NRHM for policy-based questions.

Conclusion

The population of India is both its greatest asset and its biggest challenge. With over 1.21 billion people, India is the second most populous country, with a highly uneven distribution across its states. The processes of birth, death, and migration continuously shape the population, while its age composition determines the dependency burden and the future workforce. The quality of the population, reflected in literacy, health, and skills, is more important than its sheer numbers for national development. The National Population Policy 2000 and various health and education programmes aim to stabilise the population and improve the quality of life of the people. Understanding population is essential for planning, development, and building a future where every citizen of India can lead a productive and dignified life.