Population of India information
India is one of the most diverse countries in the world. Along with that, it's the second most populated country in the world, with a population of close to 1.5 billion. With a population so massive, India contributes nearly 17% of the global population. In other words, every 6th person in the world is an Indian. The people are distributed randomly and unevenly in an area of 3.28 million square kilometres, with densely-populated cities to sparsely populated small villages and hilly terrain areas.
Distribution of Population in India
Among the 28 States and 8 Union Territories of India, Uttar Pradesh is the most populated state with a staggering population of 166 million people. That is a population more than most countries in the world. Meanwhile, Sikkim and Lakshadeep have the lowest population of 0.5 million and 60000, respectively. The top five most populated States in India are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. About half of India's population is concentrated in these states only.
Population Density
Population Density of a place is defined as the number of people living in that particular place divided by the geographical area. In other words, it's the number of people living per unit area. It depends on several factors. The most prominent characteristic is the geographic location. People generally avoid hilly terrains due to harsh climatic conditions and their inability to sustain agriculture. Hence states like Himachal Pradesh and Assam are sparsely populated. On the other hand, river valleys, coastal areas, and the Northern plains are highly fertile and densely populated regions.
Population Growth and Decline: Population Change
The annual Growth rate is defined as the increase in people per every hundred people per year. For example, if a city's population is 100 and 5 more people are added in a year, taking the population to 105, the Annual Growth rate would be 5%. The population of an area is not always destined to increase, and it may decrease as well. The population change, which includes increase and decreases, can be due to various factors like Birth, Death, and Migration. In India, the Birth rate has always been more than the death rate despite the major natural calamities. This is a significant reason behind the ever-increasing Indian population. The third reason for the population after birth and death is Migration. Migration includes two things, immigration, and emigration. Immigration is the number of people coming to an area, while emigration is the number of people leaving an area. Understandably, the population increases when immigration is more than emigration and decreases when the opposite happens.
Characteristics of Indian Population
After we have understood the various factors influencing the population, let us understand the characteristics of the Indian population.
Age Composition
The age composition of a country determines the social and economic structure. Age composition is nothing but the population of people of different age groups living in a country. The entire population is divided into three categories, children(below 15years), working-class(15-59 years), aged(59+ years). The more the working-class population in a country, the more economically stable and developing the country is. Additionally, a high child population implies a strong future ahead for the country.
Sex Ratio
The sex ratio is nothing but the number of females in the country for every 1000 males. This gives an idea of the proportion of females and males in the country and its culture and gender diversity. Unfortunately, India is one of the countries with the lowest sex ratio. But some of the states in India are those having more females than males. As per the 2011 census report in Kerala, the sex ratio is 964, whereas in union territory Puducherry, the ratio is 967 and regarded as the highest in India. In Haryana, the ratio is 877, and this is the lowest figure in India. Considering the entire population, the sex ratio of the country is 943.
Literacy Rate
The literacy rate is a vital part of the Population. It mainly determines the total development or the economic structure of the country. If the country has more literacy rate, it is more developed as the people do something innovative and contribute more towards GDP. As per the 2011 census, a standard was set for the literacy rate. According to this, if a person is more than seven years old and can read and write thoroughly, that particular person is called literate and counted in total literacy percentage. As per the 2011 census report, the literacy rate of India was 74.04%. Well, this number varies in different states. In Kerala, the literacy rate is around 96.2% and is regarded as the highest literary state in India, while Bihar accounts for the lowest literacy rate.
FAQs on Population of India
1. What is population density and how is it measured in India?
Population density is a key metric that explains the distribution of population. It is defined as the number of persons living per unit of area. For India, it is typically calculated as the number of people per square kilometre. According to the 2011 Census, India's average population density was 382 persons per sq km. However, this varies widely, with states like Bihar having a very high density (1,106 persons/sq km) and Arunachal Pradesh having a very low density (17 persons/sq km).
2. Why is the population distribution in India so uneven across different states?
The highly uneven distribution of population in India is influenced by a combination of physical, socio-economic, and historical factors. These factors determine the attractiveness and carrying capacity of a region.
- Physical Factors: Fertile plains like the Ganga Plains have high population density due to favourable climate, level land, and abundant water, whereas mountainous regions in the Himalayas or arid areas like the Thar Desert have sparse populations.
- Socio-Economic Factors: Areas with better opportunities for education, healthcare, transportation, and industrial jobs, such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, attract more people.
- Historical Factors: Regions with a long history of human settlement, like river valley civilisations, tend to have higher population concentrations.
3. What are the four main phases of population growth identified in India's demographic history?
India's demographic history can be divided into four distinct phases of population growth:
- Phase I (1901-1921): Known as the period of stagnant or stationary growth, characterised by high birth and death rates, resulting in slow population growth.
- Phase II (1921-1951): This phase is marked by steady population growth. Improvements in health and sanitation led to a decline in the death rate, while the birth rate remained high.
- Phase III (1951-1981): Referred to as the period of population explosion in India. This was caused by a rapid fall in the mortality rate combined with a high fertility rate.
- Phase IV (1981-Present): The growth rate has started to slow down gradually. This is due to a significant decline in birth rates, attributed to increased awareness, family planning, and education.
4. How does the occupational structure of India's population reflect its economic development?
The occupational structure, or the distribution of the workforce across different sectors, is a strong indicator of a country's economic development. In India, the structure shows a gradual but significant shift:
- Primary Sector (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing): A large proportion of the Indian workforce is still engaged in primary activities. A high dependency on this sector indicates a developing economy.
- Secondary Sector (Manufacturing, Industry): The proportion of the workforce in this sector is growing, which signals industrialisation and economic diversification.
- Tertiary Sector (Services, Trade, Transport): This sector is expanding at the fastest rate. A dominant tertiary sector is a hallmark of a developed economy, and its growth in India highlights the country's economic progress and modernisation.
5. What is the difference between rural and urban population composition in India?
The primary difference between rural and urban population composition in India lies in their socio-economic characteristics. As per the 2011 Census, 68.8% of India's population is rural. Key differences include:
- Livelihood: Rural populations are predominantly engaged in primary activities like agriculture, while urban populations are concentrated in secondary and tertiary sector jobs like manufacturing, services, and trade.
- Density and Social Interaction: Urban areas have higher population density, leading to more formal and professional relationships, whereas rural areas have lower density and stronger community-based social ties.
- Demographics: Urban areas often exhibit a higher sex ratio in the working-age group due to migration for employment, whereas rural areas have a more traditional age-sex structure.
6. What is the 'demographic dividend' and why is it considered a significant opportunity for India?
The 'demographic dividend' refers to the potential for accelerated economic growth that can result from a decline in a country's birth and death rates and the subsequent change in its population's age structure. For India, this means having a large proportion of its population in the working-age group (15-59 years) and a smaller proportion in the dependent age group (below 15 and above 59). This is a significant opportunity because a larger, youthful workforce can lead to increased productivity, higher savings, and greater economic dynamism, provided they are equipped with the necessary education, skills, and employment opportunities.
7. How does India's linguistic diversity, as a key component of its population composition, contribute to its unique national identity?
India's linguistic diversity is a fundamental aspect of its population composition and a cornerstone of its national identity. With 22 officially scheduled languages and hundreds of other languages and dialects, it contributes in several ways:
- It fosters a culture of pluralism and tolerance, making cultural exchange a daily reality.
- It has shaped the federal structure of the nation, with state boundaries often drawn along linguistic lines.
- This diversity enriches the country's literary, artistic, and cultural heritage, creating a unique and vibrant national fabric that is celebrated for its unity in diversity.
8. What are some key challenges associated with the adolescent population in India?
The adolescent population in India (defined as the 10-19 age group) constitutes a significant portion of the total population and faces several specific challenges that require policy attention. Key issues include:
- Malnutrition: A high prevalence of anaemia and undernutrition among both boys and girls.
- Education: High school dropout rates, particularly among girls, limit their future opportunities.
- Health and Awareness: Lack of proper information and awareness regarding reproductive health, substance abuse, and mental well-being.
- Early Marriage: The practice of early marriage, though declining, still poses a significant health and social risk for adolescent girls.
