POPULATION

People are to be equipped to achieve

progress in social and economic fields. For
this, all countries give special significance on
human resource development. The quality and
size of population are two factors that are
emphasised in the development of human
resource. Rapid growth in population will
create many obstacles to economic progress.
Also, it affects the quality of human resource
adversely. In this background, let us examine
in detail the world population, the Indian
population, growth and its reasons, problems,
population policy etc.

What is population?
The significance of population in the
production-consumption sector of an
economy is very great. The demand for
consumer goods depends mainly on the size
of population, sex ratio, population-density,
age-structure of the people, income,
preferences etc. Since there is day-to-day
variation in the population of a country, it is
difficult to calculate the exact population.
Population
Total number of people living in a
country at a given time is called its
population.

World Population and Countries

As of 19 November 2009, the world population
is estimated by the United States Census
Bureau to be 6.798 billion
According to papers published by the United
States Census Bureau, the world population hit
6.5 billion (6,500,000,000) on February 24,
2006. The United Nations Population Fund
designated October 12, 1999 as the
approximate day on which world population
reached 6 billion. This was about 12 years after
world population reached 5 billion in 1987, and
6 years after world population reached 5.5
billion in 1993. However, the population of
some countries, such as Nigeria and China is
not even known to the nearest million, so there
is a considerable margin of error in such
estimates Population growth increased
significantly as the Industrial Revolution
gathered pace from 1700 onwards. The last 50
years have seen a yet more rapid increase in
the rate of population growth due to medical
advances and substantial increases in
agricultural productivity, particularly in the
period 1960 to 1995 made by the Green
Revolution. In 2007 the United Nations
Population Division projected that the world's
population will likely surpass 10 billion in
2055.In the future, world population has been
expected to reach a peak of growth, from there
it will decline due to economic reasons, health
concerns, land exhaustion and environmental
hazards. There is around an 85% chance that
the world's population will stop growing before
the end of the century. There is a 60%
probability that the world's population will not
exceed 10 billion people before 2100, and
around a 15% probability that the world's
population at the end of the century will be
lower than it is today. For different regions, the
date and size of the peak population will vary
considerably

Significance of the Study of Population

We know that family includes parents and
children. We need better food, clothing,
shelter, health, education and other facilities.
Think how these are related to the number of
members of the family. In addition to the
number of members, age difference, number
of males and females, their preferences and
income also play an important role in estimating
the quantity of essential commodities and
services required for the family.
Features of population in selected countries
The study of population of a country can
be made use of for the following purposes.
� To assess the availability of human
resource needed for production.
� To estimate the required basic
infrastructure.
� To estimate the requirements of products
and services.
� To understand the social and cultural
structure of a population.
� To compare with the population of other
countries.
� To assess the quality of standard of living.
For your information
� World Population Day was observed for
the first time on 11 July, 1987
� The year in which world population
reached 100 crores - 1804
reached 600 crores - 12 October, 1999
Population of India
The process of calculating population is
known as census. The first census in India
was conducted in 1881. Find out the intervals
at which census is taken and complete the table
of census for the post-independence period
of India.

Census is the collection, compilation,

analysis and publication of different
types of information related to the
people living in a country in a given
period.
India has only 2.4% of the land area of
the world. According to the census 2001, the
population of India (1,02,70,15,247) is
16.87% of world population. Of this, 51.73%
(53,12,77,078) are males and 48.27%
(49,57,38,169) are females. Population of
Kerala comes to 3.10% (3,18,38,619) of the
population of India. Out of this, 48.58%
(1,54,68,664) are males and 51.42%
(1,63,69,955) are females. The population of
India which was 23.83 crores in 1901
increased by 78.87 crores within 100 years.
Every Sixth Person
One among every six persons of world
population is an Indian.
Look at the following table showing
population growth in India and Kerala from
1951 to 2001.
With the help of the table draw a multiple
graph representing the population growth in
India and Kerala. Analyse the table according
to the indicators given below and note down
the conclusions.
Indicators
� The period in which growth rate of
population in Kerala stands above the
national growth rate.
� The period in which growth rate stands
below the national growth rate.
� The period in which growth rate of
population in India and Kerala are equal.
The present figures state that in India 29
children are born in every one minute. Due to
the rapid increase of population, we have to
explore more resources for economic
development. We have learned about the
factors such as birth rate, death rate and
immigration which influence the population. Let
us see how the other factors of population are
related to the economic scenario.

Sex Ratio
The number of females per thousand
(1000) males in a population is known as sex
ratio or female to male ratio. On the basis of
Census 2001, in India there are 933 females
per 1000 males, while in Kerala it is 1058.
Increase in the death rate of females (female
mortality) is the main reason for the low sex
ratio at all India level. The reasons for higher
sex ratio in Kerala are better health, literacy,
better standard of living, economic security etc.
More programmes are planned and carried
out in the economic sector to reduce the death
rate of females.

Age Structure
On the basis of age, population is
classified into three divisions. They are:
� Children upto the age of 14.
� Those between the age of 15 and 59.
� Those who are above the age of 60.

Age Structure of population in India

Between 15 and 59
58.70%
0-14 age group
34.33%
above 60 years
6.97%
It can be
understood that only 58.70% of the people
come under the employed sector. The
remaining 41.30% of people live depending
upon them. Increased rate of dependency
affects economic activities adversely.

Dependency Rate
Dependency rate is the percentage of
people depending on those who are
employed (below 15 years and above
60 years of age.)

Occupational Structure of Population

It is the distribution of population on the
basis of employment in sectors like
agriculture, industry and services. In
developed nations, most people work in the
service sector. But in developing countries like
India, it is the agricultural sector which
provides employment to more people. This is
because the industrial and service sectors are
not so developed. Employment structure helps
us to know the participation of population in
production sectors.

Literacy
The literacy rate of the population of a
country can be considered as an indicator of
the economic progress achieved by that
country. According to the census 2001, literacy
rate in India is 65.38% and that in Kerala is
90.92%. In literacy, men are at a higher level
than women. In India, 75.85% of men and
54.16% of women are literates. In Kerala,
they are 94.20% and 87.86% respectively.
Population growth at a higher rate makes
universal education difficult. This interrupts
economic growth.
 Life expectancy
You have learned about the relation
between human resource and life expectancy.
On the basis of the Census -2001, life
expectancy of males in India is 63.9 and that
of females is 66.9. In Kerala they are 74.47
and 80.47 respectively. While life expectancy
in Kerala stands equal to that in developed
countries, it is lower in the other states of India.
Life expectancy can be increased by
providing basic comforts, employment,
improved health care etc.

Do you know?
In 2001:
Country having highest density of
population - Japan
Urban population of India - 28%
State having highest population
- Uttar Pradesh
State having highest population
density - West Bengal
Population density in India - 324
Population density in Kerala - 819
You have seen the important
characteristics of the population of India. On
the basis of a discussion, prepare note on how
these affect the economic progress of a
country and present it in the class.
Kerala - 2001

� State having 12th place in

population in India

� State having 3.1% of Indian

population

� State having lowest population

growth rate.

� State having third place in

population density.
� The only state where females
outnumber males.

� State having the longest life

expectancy.

� State having the highest literacy

rate.

Population growth - Reasons

We have seen that the population of India
is growing. It is estimated that the present
population will become double in 36 years.
We shall examine the reasons for population
growth in developing countries like India.
� Poverty
� Superstitions
� Religious beliefs
� Illiteracy and ignorance
� Early marriage
� High fertility
� Increased birth rate
� Decreased death rate
�

Economic Problems
Rapid increase in population may give rise
to many economic problems. We shall look
into some important problems.
Poverty and Unemployment
India is an agricultural nation. As industrial
and service sectors do not develop in
proportion to the growth of population, most
people depend on agriculture. Due to the
increase in the cost of production, agriculture
is becoming unprofitable. Besides, there is no
increase in the employment opportunities in
other sectors and this creates more
unemployment problems.
Unemployment

Unemployment is a situation in which

employment opportunity is not
available to an adult person who is
willing to work.
It is obvious that when there is decrease
in employment and income, purchase of food
stuffs for maintaining health becomes
imposssible. Such people naturally come
below poverty line. In India, those people who
do not get 2100 calories of food in rural areas
and 2400 calories of food in urban areas are
considered to be Below Poverty Line (BPL).
As per the estimate of the year 2000, 26.1%
of people are below poverty line in India.
About 40 per cent of people are poor.
Poverty encourages child labour.
Today in India, unemployment continues
to be the most serious problem. The reasons
might be
� Collapse of agricultural sector
� Decline of indigenous/traditional
industries.
� Lack of industrial enterprises
� Inadequate development of service sector
� Lack of capital
� Lack of entrepreneurship
� Mechanisation

Shelter / Housing
Among the basic needs of man, shelter is
very important. As population increases
corresponding increase in the housing facilities
should also be there. According to the figures
available, there are 103297 households in
Kerala that do not have shelters. The
government extends subsidy relief, income tax
relief etc. through various institutions and
agencies to promote construction of houses.
Besides, the government gives housing finance
also.
Find out from news papers, the names of
agencies and institutions which grant housing
finance and complete the table
� Life Insurance Corporation of India.
(LIC).
� General Insurance Corporation of India.
(GIC).
�
 Environmental problems
When population increases, there is an
increased and unscientific exploitation of
resources. This type of exploitation of
resources creates obstacles in sustainable
development. Shortage of shelter paves the
way for the growth of slums and insanitation.
Pollution of environment causes different types
of communicable diseases. Diseases like Rat
fever and Dengue fever, wide spread in Kerala
now a days, are the outcome of environmental
pollution. This has placed a heavy financial
commitment on the primary healthcare
scenario for the government and the people.
The government has to mobilise more
funds from time to time for furnishing the
increasing population with health, education,
drinking water and other basic needs. If
population is controlled properly, these funds
can be utilised for other productive
developmental activities. In short, population
growth has to be checked so as to face the
challenges raised by population explosion in
the economic field.
We have seen many factors related to
population and economic problems. You can
visit five houses in your ward and conduct a
survey regarding population and economic
problems. The format and questionnaire shall
be prepared in the class with the help of your
teacher.
What particulars can be incorporated in
the format?
� House name / House No.
� Head of the household
� Age
� Occupation
� Number of members
� Male/Female/Total
� Educational qualification
�
Discuss in the class the data collected and
on the basis of it prepare a project on
“Features of Population and economic
problems.”

Population Policy
Now you are aware of the problems
created by rapid growth of population. To
solve these problems and to attain national
welfare, a population policy is essential. In
India, it was in 1976 that population policy
(Population control policy) was declared.
Many schemes were also implemented for
family planning and family welfare.

Need for Population Policy

We shall see why population policy is
essential:
� To improve the economy of a country
� To maintain population suitable to the
economy.
� To attain economic and social progress.
� To improve the standard of living.
� To improve education and health.
� To solve unemployment problem.

National Population Policy

This policy lays emphasis on health care
of the people especially, that of women and
children. Following are the aims of the new
population policy.
� To meet the basic needs in public health
sector.
� To ensure free and compulsory education
to all children upto the age of 14.
� To reduce infant mortality rate below 30
in every 1000 live births.
� Popularise preventive measures against the
communicable diseases
� To take steps for raising the age at marriage
of women, above 20.
Let us hope that by implementing the
policy, the declared objects can be attained by
the year 2010.
There are commissions at the national and
state levels to monitor and evaluate the
implementation of the policies. You will collect
more details about National Population Policy
2000 from magazines and various media, won't
you?

Population control
Population control is the practice of curtailing
population increase, usually by reducing the
birth rate. Surviving records from Ancient
Greece document the first known examples of
population control. These include the
colonization movement, which saw Greek
outposts being built across the Mediterranean
and Black Sea basins to accommodate the
excess population of individual states.
Infanticide and abortion were encouraged in
some Greek city states in order to keep
population down An important example of
mandated population control is People's
Republic of China's one-child policy, in which
having more than one child is made extremely
unattractive. This has led to allegations that
practices like forced abortions, forced
sterilization, and infanticide are used as a result
of the policy. The country's sex ratio at birth of
114 boys to 100 girls may be evidence that the
latter is often sex-selective.

It is helpful to distinguish between fertility

control as individual decision-making and
population control as a governmental or state-
level policy of regulating population growth.
Fertility control may occur when individuals or
couples or families take steps to decrease or to
regulate the timing of their own child-bearing.
In Ansley Coale's oft-cited formulation, three
preconditions for a sustained decline in fertility
are:
(1) acceptance of calculated choice (as opposed
to fate or chance or divine will) as a valid
element in fertility,
(2) perceived advantages from reduced fertility,
and
(3) knowledge and mastery of effective
techniques of control.In contrast to a society
with natural fertility, a society that desires to
limit fertility and has the means to do so may
use those means to delay childbearing, space
childbearing, or stop childbearing. Delaying
sexual intercourse (or marriage), or the adoption
of natural or artificial means of contraception
are most often an individual or family decision,
not a matter of a state policy or societal-wide
sanctions. On the other hand, individuals who
assume some sense of control over their own
fertility can also accelerate the frequency or
success of child-bearing through planning.
At the societal level, declining fertility is almost
an inevitable result of growing secular education
of women. However, the exercise of moderate
to high levels of fertility control does not
necessarily imply low fertility rates. Even
among societies that exercise substantial fertility
control, societies with an equal ability to
exercise fertility control (to determine how
many children to have and when to bear them)
may display widely different levels of fertility
(numbers of children borne) associated with
individual and cultural preferences for the
number of children or size of families.
In contrast to fertility control, which is mainly
an individual-level decision, governments may
attempt to exercise population control by
increasing access to means of contraception or
by other population policies and programs. The
idea of "population control" as governmental or
societal-level regulation of population growth
does not require "fertility control" in the sense
that it has been defined above, since a state can
affect the growth of a society's population even
if that society practices little fertility control. It's
also important to embrace policies favoring
population increase as an aspect of population
control, and not to assume that states want to
control population only by limiting its growth.
To stimulate population growth, governments
may support not only immigration but also
pronatalist policies such as tax benefits,
financial awards, paid work leaves, and
childcare to encourage the bearing of additional
children.Such policies have been pursued in
recent years in France and Sweden, for example.
With the same goal of increasing population
growth, on occasion governments have sought
to limit the use of abortion or modern means of
birth control. An example was Romania's 1966
ban on access to contraception and abortion on
demand.

In ecology, population control is on occasions

considered to be done solely by predators,
diseases, parasites, and environmental factors.
In a constant environment, population control is
regulated by the availability of food, water, and
safety. The maximum number of a species or
individuals that can be supported in a certain
area is called the carrying capacity. At many
times human effects on animal and plant
populations are also considered.Migrations of
animals may be seen as a natural way of
population control, for the food on land is more
abundant on some seasons. The area of the
migrations' start is left to reproduce the food
supply for large mass of animals next time
around. See also immigration.

India is another example where the government

has taken measures to reduce the country’s
population. Concerns that the rapidly growing
population would adversely affect economic
growth and living standards caused India to
implement an official family planning program
in the late 1950s and early 1960s; it was the first
country in the world to do so

SUMMARY
� Population of a country is the total number of
people living in that country at a given time
period.
� Demand of consumer items varies in
accordance with the size of the
population, sex ratio, population density, age
structure, income and
preferences.
� Study of population is essential to know the
availability of human resources
required for production, to estimate the basic
needs, commodities and
services required, and to make a comparison
with the population of other
countries.
� An estimate of population is known as
Census. In India, census is
conducted in every ten years.
� Poverty, unemployment, lack of shelter,
environmental problems etc., are
the economic problems arising out of rapid
increase in population
� Population policy 2000 emphasises the health
care of women and children
and the welfare of the nation.