CHAPTER 6 : POPULATION

1. Importance of Population

·         Population refers to the total number of people living in a particular area.

·         Human beings are:

o    Producers of resources

o    Consumers of resources

·         Resources, disasters, and development have meaning only in relation to people.

·         The quality, distribution, and growth of population determine:

o    Economic development

o    Social structure

o    Environmental impact

·         Population data in India is obtained from the Census of India.

 

2. Census

·         Census: Official counting of population along with social and economic details.

·         First census in India: 1872

·         First complete census: 1881

·         Conducted every 10 years

·         It provides data on:

o    Population size

o    Literacy

o    Sex ratio

o    Occupation

o    Age structure

 

3. Population Size and Distribution in India

(A) Population Size

·         India’s population (2011): 1210.6 million

·         India has:

o    17% of world population

o    Only 2.4% of world’s land area

·         Most populous state: Uttar Pradesh (199 million)

·         Least populous:

o    Sikkim – about 0.6 million

o    Lakshadweep – 64,429

·         Nearly 50% population lives in five states:

o    Uttar Pradesh

o    Maharashtra

o    Bihar

o    West Bengal

o    Andhra Pradesh

 

(B) Population Distribution by Density

·         Population density: Number of persons per sq km

·         Density of India (2011): 382 persons/sq km

·         Highest density: Bihar – 1102 persons/sq km

·         Lowest density: Arunachal Pradesh – 17 persons/sq km

Reasons for Uneven Distribution

·         Physical factors:

o    Climate

o    Relief

o    Soil fertility

o    Availability of water

·         Economic factors:

o    Urbanisation

o    Industrialisation

o    Employment opportunities

 

4. Population Growth

Meaning

·         Change in population over a period of time.

Two Measures

1.   Absolute Increase

o    Difference between populations of two census years

2.   Growth Rate

o    Percentage increase per year

Population Growth Trend in India

·         1951: 361 million

·         2011: 1210.6 million

·         Growth rate increased till 1981, then started declining

·         Even with declining rate, absolute population keeps increasing due to large base population

 

5. Processes of Population Change

(A) Birth Rate

·         Number of live births per 1000 persons per year

·         High birth rate → population increase

(B) Death Rate

·         Number of deaths per 1000 persons per year

·         Declined due to:

o    Better medical facilities

o    Improved sanitation

o    Control of epidemics

(C) Migration

·         Movement of people from one place to another

·         Types:

o    Internal migration (within country)

o    International migration (between countries)

Effects of Migration

·         Does not change total population

·         Changes:

o    Population distribution

o    Age and sex composition

·         In India:

o    Mostly rural to urban

o    Causes urban population growth

 

6. Adolescent Population

·         Age group: 10–19 years

·         Constitutes about 1/5th of India’s population

·         Importance:

o    Future workforce

o    National development

·         Problems:

o    Malnutrition

o    Anaemia among girls

·         Solutions:

o    Education

o    Awareness

o    Health care

 

7. National Population Policy (NPP), 2000

Objectives:

·         Free and compulsory education up to 14 years

·         Reduce infant mortality rate

·         Universal immunisation

·         Delay marriage for girls

·         Promote small family norm

·         Improve maternal and child health

 

EXERCISE ANSWERS (PAGE 54)

 

1. Multiple Choice Questions

(i) Migrations change the number, distribution and composition of population in
Answer: (c) both the area of departure and arrival

(ii) A large proportion of children is a result of
Answer: (a) high birth rates

(iii) The magnitude of population growth refers to
Answer: (b) the number of persons added each year

(iv) A “literate” person is one who
Answer: (c) is 7 years old and can read and write any language with understanding

 

2. Answer the following briefly

(i) Why is the rate of population growth declining since 1981?

·         Due to:

o    Decline in birth rate

o    Family planning programmes

o    Increased literacy

o    Late marriages

o    Awareness about small families

 

(ii) Major components of population growth

1.   Birth rate

2.   Death rate

3.   Migration

 

(iii) Define:

·         Age structure: Distribution of population according to age groups

·         Birth rate: Number of live births per 1000 persons per year

·         Death rate: Number of deaths per 1000 persons per year

 

(iv) How is migration a determinant of population change?

·         Migration changes:

o    Population distribution

o    Population composition

·         Leads to:

o    Urbanisation

o    Growth of cities

 

3. Difference between Population Growth and Population Change

Population Growth

Population Change

Increase in number of people

Change in size, composition & distribution

Caused by births and deaths

Caused by births, deaths & migration

 

4. Relation between occupational structure and development

·         Developed countries:

o    More people in secondary and tertiary sectors

·         Developing countries:

o    Majority in primary sector

·         Higher development → diversified occupations

 

5. Advantages of a Healthy Population

·         Higher productivity

·         Economic growth

·         Lower healthcare cost

·         Better quality of life

·         National development

 

6. Significant features of National Population Policy 2000

·         Education up to 14 years

·         Reduce infant & maternal mortality

·         Promote delayed marriage

·         Encourage small family norm

·         Universal immunisation



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