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