Population

Population Distribution

Definition:

Population distribution refers to the spatial pattern of where people live across a region or country. It shows how the population is spread over a given area.

Global Context:

• India accounts for 17.7% of the world’s population but occupies only 2.4% of the global land area (Census 2011).
• India is the second most populous country after China.

State-wise Distribution (Census 2011):

1. Highly Populated States: Uttar Pradesh (200 million), Maharashtra (112 million), Bihar, West Bengal.
2. Moderately Populated States: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka.
3. Sparsely Populated Areas: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Factors Influencing Population Distribution:

1. Physical Factors

• Climate: Extreme climates (e.g., Rajasthan’s Thar Desert, Ladakh) have low population.
• Topography: Plains (e.g., Indo-Gangetic plain) have high population due to fertile land.
• Water Availability: River valleys (e.g., Ganges basin) have high population.

2. Economic Factors

• Industrialization: Urban-industrial regions like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata have dense populations.
• Employment Opportunities: High employment attracts people (e.g., Bengaluru for IT sector).

3. Social and Historical Factors

• Cultural and Religious Centers: Varanasi, Amritsar, and Tirupati have high population due to religious significance.
• Historical Growth: Coastal cities like Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata grew due to colonial trade.

Population Density

Definition:

Population density is the number of people per unit area, usually measured as persons per square kilometer.

Types of Density:

1. Arithmetic Density: Simple ratio of total population to land area.
2. Physiological Density: Population per unit of arable land (useful for understanding pressure on agriculture).

State-wise Density (Census 2011):

• High Density: Bihar (1106 persons/km²), West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh.
• Moderate Density: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.
• Low Density: Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons/km²), Sikkim, Mizoram.

Factors Affecting Density:

• Fertile plains (e.g., Ganges Basin) have high density.
• Hilly terrain (e.g., Himalayan states) has low density.
• Industrial and commercial hubs (e.g., Mumbai, Kolkata) have high density.

Population Growth

Definition:

Population growth refers to the change in population over a period due to birth rate, death rate, and migration.

Types of Growth:

1. Positive Growth: Population increases over time.
2. Negative Growth: Population declines due to higher deaths, migration, or lower birth rates.

Phases of Population Growth in India:

1. Pre-1921 (Stagnant Population): High birth and death rates; minimal growth.
2. 1921-1951 (Steady Growth): Decline in death rate due to medical advancements.
3. 1951-1981 (Rapid Growth): Population explosion due to lower mortality.
4. 1981-Present (Declining Growth Rate): Slow decline in birth rates due to family planning policies.

Components of Population Change

1. Birth Rate (Natality)

• Definition: Number of live births per 1,000 people per year.
• High in rural areas, low in urban areas.
• Example: Bihar has a high birth rate, Kerala has a low birth rate.

2. Death Rate (Mortality)

• Definition: Number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
• Declining due to improved healthcare.
• Example: High life expectancy in Kerala due to better healthcare.

3. Migration

• Definition: Movement of people from one place to another.
• Types:
  • Internal Migration: Rural to urban migration (e.g., Bihar to Delhi).
  • International Migration: Migration to foreign countries (e.g., Indian workers to Gulf nations).

Population Composition

Definition:

Population composition refers to the characteristics of a population, such as age, sex, literacy, occupation, and health.

Key Aspects:

1. Age Composition

• Children (0-14 years): Dependent population.
• Working Age (15-59 years): Economically productive group.
• Elderly (60+ years): Increasing in India due to higher life expectancy.

2. Sex Ratio

• Definition: Number of females per 1,000 males.
• India’s sex ratio (2011): 940 females per 1,000 males.
• Highest: Kerala (1084 females/1000 males).
• Lowest: Haryana (879 females/1000 males).
• Factors affecting sex ratio:
  • Preference for male child.
  • Female infanticide and foeticide.

3. Literacy Rate

• Definition: Percentage of people (above 7 years) who can read and write.
• India’s literacy rate (2011): 74.04%.
• Highest: Kerala (94%).
• Lowest: Bihar (61.8%).

4. Rural-Urban Composition

• Rural Population (2011): 69% of India’s population.
• Urban Population (2011): 31% (growing due to migration).
• Example: High urbanization in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu.

5. Occupational Structure

• Primary Activities (Agriculture, Fishing, Mining): 50% of workforce.
• Secondary Activities (Manufacturing, Industry): 20% of workforce.
• Tertiary and Quaternary (Services, IT, Finance): Growing rapidly, especially in cities.

Conclusion

• India has an uneven population distribution, with high density in the plains and urban centers.
• Population growth is slowing due to government policies and awareness.
• Migration and occupational shifts are influencing urbanization trends.
• Demographic characteristics (age, sex ratio, literacy) have implications for economic planning and policy-making.

MCQs

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding population distribution in India:

1. India accounts for approximately 17.7% of the world’s population but only 2.4% of the land area.
2. Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in India, followed by Maharashtra.
3. Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram are among the states with high population density.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram have low population densities due to their difficult terrain and forest cover.

Q2. With reference to population density in India, consider the following statements:

1. Population density is calculated as the number of people per square kilometer.
2. Bihar has the highest population density in India, while Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest.
3. Physiological density refers to the number of people per unit of total land area.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Physiological density refers to the population per unit of arable land, not total land area.

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding population growth in India:

1. The period from 1951-1981 saw rapid population growth due to a decline in mortality rates.
2. The growth rate of the population has been steadily increasing since 1921.
3. India’s current phase of population growth is characterized by a declining growth rate.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: The growth rate of India’s population peaked between 1951-1981 but has been slowing down since the 1980s. The growth rate has not been continuously increasing since 1921.

Q4. Which of the following factors influence population distribution in India?

1. Climate and topography
2. Water availability
3. Industrialization and employment opportunities

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation: All three factors play a significant role in determining where people live. Favorable climate, availability of water, and economic opportunities attract population settlements.

Q5. With reference to migration in India, consider the following statements:

1. Rural-to-urban migration is the most common type of internal migration.
2. International migration from India is primarily to Gulf countries.
3. Migration has no impact on urban population growth.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Migration significantly impacts urban population growth, as cities expand due to incoming rural migrants.

Q6. Which of the following correctly describes India’s sex ratio as per Census 2011?

1. The national sex ratio is 940 females per 1,000 males.
2. Haryana has the highest sex ratio, while Kerala has the lowest.
3. Female infanticide and preference for male children contribute to an imbalanced sex ratio.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: Kerala has the highest sex ratio (1084 females per 1000 males), while Haryana has one of the lowest.

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding literacy in India:

1. Literacy rate is defined as the percentage of people above 7 years of age who can read and write.
2. Kerala has the highest literacy rate, while Bihar has the lowest.
3. Urban areas generally have lower literacy rates than rural areas.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer: (d) 1 and 2 only
Explanation: Urban areas have higher literacy rates than rural areas due to better educational facilities.

Q8. Consider the following statements regarding occupational structure in India:

1. More than 50% of India’s workforce is engaged in primary activities like agriculture.
2. Secondary sector employment is higher than tertiary sector employment.
3. The tertiary sector is growing rapidly due to the expansion of IT and financial services.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: The tertiary sector is growing faster than the secondary sector, which includes manufacturing and industry.

Q9. Which of the following statements correctly describe trends in rural-urban composition in India?

1. The majority of India’s population still lives in rural areas.
2. Urban population is increasing due to industrialization and migration.
3. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have high urbanization rates.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2, and 3
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer: (a) 1, 2, and 3
Explanation: India remains predominantly rural, but urbanization is increasing, particularly in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Q10. Which of the following correctly describes India’s population growth trends?

1. India has experienced both positive and negative population growth in different regions.
2. Population growth has been declining in recent decades due to family planning efforts.
3. The highest phase of population growth in India occurred before 1921.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 2 only
Explanation: The highest phase of population growth in India occurred between 1951-1981, not before 1921.