Population Distribution, Density, Growth, and Composition

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the uneven population distribution in India.
2. Analyze factors affecting population density and growth.
3. Comprehend the composition of India’s population, including age, sex, and occupational structure.

Sources of Population Data

India conducts a Census every ten years, with the first complete Census held in 1881. These censuses provide critical information on population patterns, essential for understanding demographic trends.

Distribution of Population

India exhibits an uneven distribution of population across its states. States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar have larger populations, while regions like Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have lower shares despite substantial land areas. This unevenness stems from various factors:

1. Physical factors: Areas with favorable climate and terrain, such as the North Indian Plains, attract larger populations. Conversely, areas with harsh climates like Himalayas and Western states remain sparsely populated.
2. Socioeconomic factors: Urbanization and industrialization have driven populations toward cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
3. Historical factors: Regions with early settlement histories, like river plains and coastal areas, continue to support high population densities despite resource degradation.

Density of Population

Density refers to the number of people per square kilometer. In India, the density has risen from 117 persons/sq km in 1951 to 382 persons/sq km in 2011. Delhi has the highest density, while Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest. Density variations reveal the human-land relationship, which can be further understood through:

1. Physiological Density: Total population / Net cultivated area.
2. Agricultural Density: Agricultural population / Net cultivable area.

Growth of Population

India’s population growth has two key components:

1. Natural Growth: Determined by birth and death rates.
2. Induced Growth: Includes migration patterns.

India’s annual growth rate is 1.64% (2011), with phases of population growth categorized as:

1. Phase I (1901-1921): Stagnant growth due to high mortality and birth rates.
2. Phase II (1921-1951): Steady growth driven by improvements in health and sanitation.
3. Phase III (1951-1981): Population explosion due to reduced mortality.
4. Phase IV (1981-present): Growth has slowed, attributed to factors like female education and rising marriage age.

Important Note: Decadal growth rate: [(P2 – P1)/P1] x 100, where P1 and P2 are populations at two points in time.

Regional Variation in Population Growth

Certain states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh have shown lower growth rates, while Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra have maintained higher growth rates. The adolescent population constitutes about 20.9% of India’s total, presenting both opportunities and challenges.

Population Composition

Rural-Urban Composition

India’s population is predominantly rural, with 68.8% living in villages. However, urban areas are growing rapidly due to migration and economic development. States like Bihar have high rural populations, while Goa and Maharashtra exhibit lower rural shares. Urbanization is more prevalent along key transportation corridors like Delhi-Kanpur and Mumbai-Pune.

Important Note: India has 640,867 villages, with 597,608 inhabited. Village sizes vary significantly across regions.

Linguistic Composition

India is home to 22 scheduled languages and a multitude of non-scheduled dialects. Hindi has the highest number of speakers, while languages like Sanskrit and Manipuri have smaller groups. Linguistic diversity is a key cultural marker, with Indo-Aryan and Dravidian languages dominating the landscape.

Religious Composition

India’s religious landscape is diverse, with Hindus constituting 79.8% of the population, followed by Muslims (14.2%), Christians, and Sikhs. Certain regions like Kashmir and Lakshadweep have Muslim majorities, while Punjab is home to the majority of Sikhs.

Occupational Composition

India’s working population is divided into main and marginal workers. In 2011, 39.8% of the population were workers, while 60% were non-workers. The country exhibits a high proportion of workers in the agricultural sector, although recent years have seen a shift toward secondary and tertiary sectors.

Occupational categories: 1. Cultivators, 2. Agricultural laborers, 3. Household industry workers, 4. Other workers.

Gender Sensitivity: Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

Gender discrimination in India is a deeply ingrained issue, manifesting in education, employment, and political representation. The Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign seeks to address these inequalities by encouraging education and opportunities for female empowerment.

Important Note: Gender disparities harm society by limiting half of its population from contributing to its development.

Conclusion

India’s population trends reflect an intricate blend of historical, socio-economic, and physical factors. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing issues related to growth, distribution, and composition.

MCQ:
Q: Which phase of population growth in India is marked by population explosion?
A: Phase III (1951-1981).