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| Class 9th Chapters | ||
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| 1. India – Size And Location | 2. Physical Features Of India | 3. Drainage |
| 4. Climate | 5. Natural Vegetation And Wildlife | 6. Population |
Chapter 6 Population
Understanding the concept of **population** is fundamental in social studies. It serves as the central point of reference for observing and interpreting all other aspects of the environment and society. Without human beings, resources would not be utilised, and the social and cultural environment would not exist. People are crucial for economic and societal development; they are both the creators and users of resources, and their qualities vary.
For instance, something like coal only becomes a 'resource' when people develop the technology to extract and use it. Similarly, natural events like floods or tsunamis become 'disasters' only when they impact human settlements. The significance of 'resources', 'calamities', and 'disasters' is derived solely in relation to human beings. Therefore, studying the number, distribution, growth, and characteristics (qualities) of the population provides the basic context for understanding all environmental and societal aspects.
Human beings are both **producers and consumers** of the Earth's resources. Consequently, it is important to know the size of a country's population, where people live (distribution), how and why their numbers are changing (growth), and what their qualities or characteristics are (composition). The **Census of India**, an official enumeration of the population conducted periodically (every ten years since 1881), is the most comprehensive source of demographic, social, and economic data for the country.
Population Size And Distribution
Understanding the population begins with knowing its total size and how it is spread across the country's area.
India’s Population Size And Distribution By Numbers
According to the 2011 Census, India's population stood at **1,210.6 million** (approximately 1.21 billion or 121 crore people). This figure represented **more than 17% of the world's population**, making India the second most populous country globally at the time (though it has since surpassed China).
This massive population is not evenly spread across India's vast geographical area of 3.28 million square kilometres, which accounts for only 2.4% of the world's area (Figure 6.1). The distribution is highly uneven.
Key facts about population distribution by numbers in India (2011 Census):
- **Uttar Pradesh** is the most populous state, with 199 million people, accounting for about 16% of India's population.
- In contrast, states like Sikkim have a very small population (around 0.6 million), and the Union Territory of Lakshadweep has only 64,429 people.
- Nearly half (almost 50%) of India's population is concentrated in just **five states**: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. (Note: The classification of states and UTs has changed since 2011, e.g., Telangana was formed from Andhra Pradesh).
- Rajasthan, despite being the largest state by area, accounts for only 5.5% of India's total population.
Figure 6.1 uses pie charts to visually compare India's small share of the world's land area (2.4%) with its large share of the world's population (17.5%). This stark contrast highlights the high population density in India.
Figure 6.2 is a map of India illustrating the distribution of population by numbers at the state level using varying colour intensity or categories. It visually shows the uneven concentration of population across different states, with some states being significantly more populous than others.
The uneven distribution of population in India is primarily due to variations in **geographical factors** (like terrain, climate, soil fertility, water availability) and **socio-economic factors** (like opportunities for employment, education, healthcare, historical development, cultural significance). Favourable conditions for agriculture and urban development tend to attract higher populations.
India’s Population Distribution By Density
**Population density** is a more precise measure of population distribution, calculated as the **number of persons living per unit area** (usually per square kilometre). It provides a better picture of how crowded different regions are.
India is one of the **most densely populated countries** in the world. The population density of India in 2011 was **382 persons per sq km**. For comparison, only Bangladesh and Japan have higher average population densities than India.
Population densities vary greatly across Indian states:
- Bihar has the highest density, with 1,102 persons per sq km.
- Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest density, with only 17 persons per sq km.
Figure 6.3 is a map illustrating the population density across the states of India based on the 2011 Census data. It uses different colour gradients to visually represent the varying densities, clearly showing highly dense states (like Bihar and West Bengal) and sparsely dense states (like Arunachal Pradesh).
The pattern of population density is closely linked to geographical and socio-economic factors:
- States with **rugged terrain and unfavourable climate** tend to have densities below 250 persons per sq km (e.g., Himalayan states, parts of Rajasthan).
- Assam and most Peninsular states have **moderate population densities**. Factors like hilly terrain, moderate rainfall, and shallow soils influence densities in these areas.
- The **Northern Plains and Kerala** in the south have **high to very high population densities**. This is due to factors like flat, fertile alluvial plains, abundant rainfall, and favourable conditions for agriculture and settlement. The three states of the Northern Plains with high population densities include **Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal**.
Comparing the map of population density (Figure 6.3) with maps showing physical features (Figure 2.4, showing the Himalayan ranges and Peninsular Plateau) and rainfall distribution (Figure 4.7, likely showing rainfall patterns) reveals correlations: areas with favourable geography (plains, fertile soil, good water availability) and suitable climate tend to have higher population densities, while mountainous, arid, or densely forested regions have lower densities.
Population Growth And Processes Of Population Change
**Population** is a constantly changing or **dynamic phenomenon**. Its numbers, distribution, and composition are continuously influenced by the interaction of three key demographic processes: **births, deaths, and migration**.
Population Growth
**Population growth** refers to the change in the number of people residing in a country or territory over a specific period, for example, a decade. This change can be expressed in two ways:
- **Absolute increase:** The difference in the total population between a later point in time and an earlier point (e.g., subtracting 2001 population from 2011 population). This gives the magnitude of the increase in numbers.
- **Percentage change per year:** The rate or pace of population increase, typically expressed as a percentage per annum. For instance, a rate of 2% per annum means an increase of 2 persons for every 100 persons in the base population over a year. This is known as the **annual growth rate**.
India's population has shown a steady increase, growing from 361 million in 1951 to 1210 million in 2011. Tables 6.1 and Figure 6.4 illustrate this growth and the associated rates.
Format 1 (Vertical)
| Year | Total Population (in million) | Absolute Increase in the Decade (in million) | Annual Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 361.0 | 42.43 | 1.25 |
| 1961 | 439.2 | 78.15 | 1.96 |
| 1971 | 548.2 | 108.92 | 2.20 |
| 1981 | 683.3 | 135.17 | 2.22 |
| 1991 | 846.4 | 163.09 | 2.16 |
| 2001 | 1028.7 | 182.32 | 1.97 |
| 2011 | 1210.6 | 181.46 | 1.64 |
From 1951 to 1981, India's annual population growth rate consistently increased, leading to a rapid rise in total population. However, since 1981, the growth rate has shown a gradual decline, primarily due to a decrease in birth rates. Despite the declining *rate* of growth, the **absolute number of people added every decade continued to increase significantly** until 2001 (182.32 million added in the 1991-2001 decade). Even with a lower annual rate, a very large population base results in a large absolute increase in numbers each year.
India's large annual population increase can challenge efforts to conserve resources and the environment. The declining growth rate is a positive sign reflecting birth control efforts. However, the total addition to the population base remains large, contributing to India surpassing China in 2023 to become the world's most populous country.
Figure 6.4(a) is a line graph depicting the annual population growth rates in India from 1951 to 2011. It visually shows the trend of growth rate increasing until around 1981 and then gradually declining.
Figure 6.4(b) is a bar graph showing India's total population in millions from 1901 to 2011. It visually demonstrates the steady and then increasingly rapid rise in India's population over more than a century.
Answer:
Table 6.1 shows that despite the decline in annual growth rates since 1981, the absolute increase in population per decade remained very large (over 180 million in 1991-2001 and 2001-2011) because the **total population base** was already very large. Even a smaller percentage increase on a billion-plus population translates into a huge number of additional people each decade.
Processes Of Population Change/Growth
There are three primary demographic processes that cause changes in the number, distribution, and composition of a population:
- **Birth Rates:** The number of live births per thousand persons in a year. In India, birth rates have historically been higher than death rates, making them a major contributor to population growth.
- **Death Rates:** The number of deaths per thousand persons in a year. A rapid decline in death rates has been the main driver of India's population growth rate, especially until 1980.
- **Migration:** The movement of people across regions or territories.
The **natural increase of population** is calculated as the difference between the birth rate and the death rate. A positive natural increase means more births than deaths, leading to population growth.
Until 1980, high birth rates coupled with declining death rates resulted in a large difference between them, leading to high population growth rates. Since 1981, birth rates have also started to decline gradually, contributing to the overall decline in the rate of population growth observed in recent decades.
The third component, **migration**, involves the movement of people. It can be **internal** (within the country) or **international** (between countries). Internal migration does not change the total population size of the nation but affects its distribution within the country and influences the age and sex composition of urban and rural populations.
Migration plays a significant role in changing the **composition and distribution** of a population. In India, the primary trend has been **rural-to-urban migration**, driven by "push" factors in rural areas (poverty, unemployment) and "pull" factors in urban areas (more employment opportunities, better living conditions, education, health facilities). This has led to a steady increase in the proportion of the population living in cities and towns. The urban population increased from 17.29% in 1951 to 31.80% in 2011. The number of cities with over a million people (million plus cities) has also grown significantly.
Adolescent Population
A significant characteristic of India's population is the size of its **adolescent population**, which constitutes one-fifth (20%) of the total population. Adolescents are typically grouped in the age range of 10 to 19 years. This demographic group is considered a crucial resource for the country's future.
Adolescents have higher nutritional requirements than children or adults. However, in India, their diet is often deficient in essential nutrients, leading to stunted growth and a large number of adolescent girls suffering from anaemia. Addressing their health and nutritional needs has not received adequate attention in development processes.
Raising awareness among adolescent girls about the health and other problems they face can be improved through the spread of literacy and education, empowering them to address their own well-being.
National Population Policy
Recognising the link between family planning and individual health and welfare, the Government of India initiated a comprehensive **Family Planning Programme in 1952**. This programme evolved into the Family Welfare Programme, promoting responsible and planned parenthood voluntarily. The **National Population Policy (NPP) 2000** is a culmination of these planning efforts.
The NPP 2000 provides a framework focused on several objectives aimed at improving population welfare:
- Providing **free and compulsory school education up to 14 years** of age.
- Reducing the **infant mortality rate** to below 30 per 1000 live births.
- Achieving **universal immunisation** of children against vaccine-preventable diseases.
- Promoting **delayed marriage for girls**.
- Making family welfare a **people-centred programme**, encouraging community participation.
These policy initiatives reflect the government's focus on improving the health and education of the population, particularly adolescents, as key components of human resource development and sustainable population management.
A 'literate' person, according to the Census, is defined as someone aged 7 years or above who can both read and write with understanding in any language.