TOPIC INFO (UGC NET)
TOPIC INFO – UGC NET (Geography)
SUB-TOPIC INFO – Geography of India (UNIT 10)
CONTENT TYPE – Detailed Notes
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1. Population Growth in India
1.1. The Population of India by State
1.2. Population Density
1.3. Stages of India’s Population Growth
1.4. Spatial Patterns of Growth Rate in India
1.5. Reasons for India’s High Growth Rate in India
2. Population Composition
2.1. Biological Composition
2.2. Cultural Composition of Population
3. Age Structure of Indian Population
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Growth and Composition of Population in India
UGC NET GEOGRAPHY
Geography of India (UNIT 10)
LANGUAGE
Table of Contents
Population Growth in India
- Demographics refer to statistical data relating to the population in a region. This covers various factors like population growth rate, the percentage of different age groups within the population, the literacy rates, the sex ratio, urban-rural population ratios, etc.
- According to the 2011 census, India has a 1.21 billion population.
- It comprises of 17.5% of the world’s population with 2.4 % of the world’s land area.
- In terms of population, India is the second-largest country of the world and despite its growth rate declining, India continues to be a high-growth country.
- Approximately one out of every six people in the world is from India. India’s population is almost equal to the combined population of the USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Japan together.
- India’s population is a little over twice the population of Latin America and 1.2 times the population of the whole of Africa.
- In terms of area, India stands seventh preceded by Russia, Canada, China, the United States of America, Brazil, and Australia.
- Barring China, the total population of these large five countries is far less than that of India. The total area of these five countries is over sixteen times whereas their total population is much less than that of India. This may partly explain how handicapped we are because of our huge population. It can also be revealed from the fact that the total population of North America, South America, and Australia added together is less than the population of India.
- On top of it, we are adding over 17 million people each year. It is more than the total population of Australia. In fact, the net addition to the Chinese population each year is less than ours.
| Indicator | Details |
|---|---|
| Total population | Around 1.38 billion Around 1.22 billion (as per Census 2011) |
| World rank in population | 2 |
| Percentage of the world population | 17.71% |
| Population density | 464 per sq. km |
| Growth rate | 0.99% |
| Median age (Total) | 28.1 years |
| Median age (Male) | 27.5 years |
| Median age (Female) | 28.9 years |
| Infant mortality rate | 26.6 deaths per 1,000 live births |
| Under-5 mortality rate | 32.9 deaths per 1,000 live births |
| Life expectancy at birth (Total) | 70.42 years |
| Life expectancy at birth (Male) | 69.2 years |
| Life expectancy at birth (Female) | 71.8 years |
| Rural population | Around 65% |
| Urban population | Around 35% |
The Population of India by State
Given below is the population of various Indian states as per the Census 2011:
| Most populated | Population | Least populated | Population | ||
| 1 | Uttar Pradesh | 199,812,341 | 1 | Sikkim | 610,577 |
| 2 | Maharashtra | 112,374,333 | 2 | Mizoram | 1,097,206 |
| 3 | Bihar | 104,099,452 | 3 | Arunachal Pradesh | 1,383,727 |
| 4 | West Bengal | 91,276,115 | 4 | Goa | 1,458,545 |
| 5 | Madhya Pradesh | 72,626,809 | 5 | Nagaland | 1,980,602 |
Population Density
(persons per sq. km)
| Highest | Density | Least | Density | ||
| 1 | Bihar | 1106 | 1 | Arunachal Pradesh | 17 |
| 2 | West Bengal | 1028 | 2 | Mizoram | 52 |
| 3 | Kerala | 859 | 3 | Sikkim | 86 |
| 4 | Uttar Pradesh | 828 | 4 | Nagaland | 119 |
| 5 | Haryana | 573 | 5 | Manipur | 122 |
Stages of India’s Population Growth
Phase 1 (1901-1921)- Period of stagnant population:
- This phase is also known as the Primitive Demographic Transition Stage. It is the stage I of Demographic Transition Model Theory.
- This stage is characterized by the following traits:
- Very high Birth Rate and Death Rate ( approximately 40/ thousand)
- Epidemics, famines, droughts, lakhs of Indian soldiers in World War I.
- Low life expectancy.
- 1921 recorded an absolute decline in population numbers. The year 1921 is known as the year of the Demographic Divide.
- From the view of population studies, India has been divided into 6 zones:
| Northern Zone | Eastern Zone | North Eastern Zone | Central Zone | Western Zone | Southern Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haryana | Bihar | All seven sister states of NE | Chhattisgarh | Gujarat | Andhra Pradesh |
| Himachal Pradesh (HP) | Jharkhand | Uttar Pradesh (UP) | Maharashtra | Kerala | |
| Punjab | Sikkim | Madhya Pradesh (MP) | Dadra and Nagar Haveli | Tamil Nadu | |
| Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) | West Bengal | Uttarakhand | Daman and Diu | Pondicherry | |
| Rajasthan | Odisha (Orissa) | Goa | |||
| Chandigarh | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Lakshadweep | |||
| Delhi |
- During 1901-21, Northern Zone suffered a net loss in population due to famines and epidemics.
- North-East zone witnessed a very high growth rate due to large-scale in-migration (migration of labors in Tea plantation estates of Assam) and less famines and epidemics.
- The southern zone witnessed a normal Growth Rate since epidemics and famines were less.