2.

Population: Part - 2
Population as a Human Resource :-

1. Concept of Human Resource

• Definition: Population is not just a number—it represents the working and thinking
capacity of a society.
• When educated, skilled, and healthy, the population becomes a productive asset that
contributes to economic and social development.
• Human resources include physical strength (labour) and intellectual skills (knowledge,
innovation, management).

Population Composition: Age Structure

1. What is Age Structure?

• Age structure = Distribution of population across different age groups.

• Major age groups:
o 0–14 years – Children (Dependent)
o 15–59 years – Working Age (Productive)
o 60+ years – Aged Population (Dependent)
• Each age group has a different role in society and economy.

2. Population Pyramid (Age-Sex Pyramid)

A graphical representation showing age and sex composition of a population.

• Y-axis (Vertical): Age Groups

• X-axis (Horizontal): Population or % of population
• Left side: Males
• Right side: Females
• Base: Youngest group (0–4 years)
• Apex: Oldest group (85+ years)
 3. Importance of Age Structure

Age Group Importance / Indication

0–14 years Indicates future workforce but also dependency

15–59 years Working population – economically productive

60+ years Indicates ageing population – requires healthcare

Three main types of population pyramids:

Expansive
Broad base with narrowing apex shows that more people die
at each higher band. This also shows high birth rate and high
death rate.

i) Expansive Pyramid (A)

• Broad base, narrow top

• High birth rate, High death rate
• Example: Developing countries (e.g., Nigeria)

Constrictive
Constrictive (B): Base gets narrower while apex is broader.
This indicates lower percentages of younger people and more
of elderly people. This shows low birth rate and lower death
rates.

ii) Constrictive Pyramid (B)

• Narrow base, wider at the top

• Low birth rate, Low death rate
• More elderly population
• Example: Developed countries (e.g., Japan)
 Stationary (C)
Stationary (C): Almost all age groups have same percentages.
Very low birth rate and very low death rate. Population hardly
grows

Stationary Pyramid (C)

• Uniform width throughout

• Very low birth & death rates
• Population size is stable
• Example: USA, France

5. Impact of Age Structure on Nation

Structure Impact on Economy

More 0–14 ↑ Dependency, Need for education & nutrition

More 15–59 ↑ Productivity, Strong workforce

More 60+ ↑ Healthcare cost, Need for pension & services

2) Sex Composition

• Sex Composition refers to the number of women and men in different age groups in a
country.
• It is an important demographic indicator and shows the gender distribution in the
population.

Sex Ratio

• It is the ratio between the number of females to males in the population.

• Formula:

Sex Ratio= (Total Female Population/Total Male Population) ×1000

 It provides valuable insight into the status of women in society.

Global Sex Ratio Patterns

• World Average: 990 females per 1000 males

• Highest Sex Ratio:
o Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine — around 1162 females per 1000 males
• Lowest Sex Ratio:
o Saudi Arabia — 667 females per 1000 males
• Low Sex Ratio Countries:
o China, India, Bhutan, Pakistan, Afghanistan
• Asia (in general) has a low sex ratio compared to other continents.

Demographic Dividend: -

What is Demographic Dividend?

• Demographic Dividend refers to the economic growth that results from changes in a
country’s population age structure.
• It occurs when birth rates and death rates decline, leading to fewer dependent
children and a larger working-age population.

Meaning of ‘Dividend’

• In finance, dividend means a reward or profit shared among shareholders.

• Similarly, demographic dividend is the economic gain shared by the nation due to a
favorable population structure.

Concept in Simple Terms

• Population is divided into:

o Working population (independent)
o Dependent population (children & elderly)
• When the working population increases compared to dependents, the country
becomes more economically productive.
How Does It Happen? (Process)

1. Fertility, birth, and death rates decline.

2. This leads to fewer children being born.
3. The dependent population decreases.
4. Working-age population increases.
5. Country can now invest resources in development rather than just basic needs.

Benefits of Demographic Dividend

1. ✅ Higher Personal Savings

o More working people → more savings → boost to the economy.
2. Better Education Investment
o Fewer children → parents invest more in each child’s education → stronger
human capital.
3. Women Empowerment
o More women join the labour force, contribute to economic growth.
4. Increase in Per Capita GDP
o Lower dependency ratio → more income per person → improved standard of
living.

Important Note: Not Automatic

• Demographic dividend is not automatic.

• It depends on effective government policies in:
o Education
o Healthcare
o Employment
o Research & Innovation
o Pension & Retirement systems
o Women empowerment and gender equality

Examples

• Countries like South Korea, Singapore, and China have benefited from demographic
dividend by investing in education and employment.
3) Retirement Age and Ageing Population

Why Retirement Age Is Increasing

• Many countries are increasing the retirement age due to:

o Rise in ageing population
o Increased pressure on pension, healthcare, and retirement funds
o Improved life expectancy → people can work longer

Ageing Population Trends

• People are living longer due to:

o Better healthcare
o Improved nutrition
o Higher living standards
• As life expectancy rises, countries extend retirement age to keep people in the
workforce longer.

Life
Country Retirement Age (Current / Planned)
Expectancy

Japan ~84 years Considering raising to 70 years (currently 60)

Retirement age to change in 2045 (due to future decline in young

China ~78 years
population)

What is Literacy?

• Literacy indicates the ability to read, write, and do basic arithmetic with understanding.

India’s Definition of Literacy

• A person aged 7 years and above who can:

o Read
o Write
o Do arithmetic
o Is considered literate

Importance of Literacy

• A key indicator of:

o Socio-economic development
 o Standard of living
o Gender equality (especially female status)
o Educational infrastructure
o Government policy success

Literacy & Economic Development

• High literacy → better economy

• Better economy → better access to education
• Thus, literacy is both a cause and effect of development.

Rural–Urban Composition: -

Rural–Urban Composition refers to the division of population based on place of residence –

rural or urban.

This classification is essential because rural and urban lifestyles differ in livelihood,
occupation, and social setup.

Migration –

Migration is the movement of an individual or group of people from one place to another,
across political boundaries, either for a short period or permanently.

• It can be:
o Planned or sudden
o Voluntary or involuntary

Effects of Migration:

• Population size (increase/decrease)

• Population density
• Population structure
• Distribution patterns of both:
o Donor Region (from where people leave)
o Recipient Region (where people arrive)

Types of Migration:

1️⃣ Based on Region:

• A) Internal Migration:
o Movement within the same country
o Example: Migrating from Bihar to Mumbai
 • B) External Migration:
o Movement from one country to another
o Example: Going abroad for education/work

2️⃣ Based on Duration:

• A) Short-term / Seasonal Migration:

o Temporary; for specific work or season
o Example: Sugarcane harvesters in Maharashtra; tribal migration for fodder
• B) Long-term Migration:
o Not certain when/if they’ll return
o Example:
▪ Indians migrating to USA or UK
▪ Villagers settling in cities for jobs
• C) Permanent Migration:
o Never returning to original place

3️⃣ Based on Intention:

• Voluntary Migration:
o People choose to move
• Involuntary (Forced) Migration:
o People are forced due to war, disasters, or persecution

1) Physical Reasons: 2) Economic Reasons: 3) Social Reasons: 4) Political Reasons:

Natural disasters: Search for better Due to: Migration due to:
livelihood:
Earthquakes Discrimination or War
Employment social conflict
Volcanic eruptions Political instability
Business opportunities Lack of education or
Droughts, healthcare Persecution
Higher income
Floods Marriage Refuge-seeking
Better standard of
living Forced displacement
of communities
Push and Pull Factors of Migration

✅ Pull Factors (Attract people to a region):

• Better employment opportunities

• Good educational facilities
• Better health and sanitation services
• Safe and clean environment
• Peace and political stability
• Modern lifestyle and infrastructure

❌ Push Factors (Force people to leave their region):

• Unemployment or low wages

• War or conflict
• Drought and water scarcity
• Air and water pollution
• Natural disasters (earthquake, floods)
• Lack of health and education facilities

Impact of Migration on Population

🔹 1. On Donor Region (where people leave from):

• Reduced population → lesser use of infrastructure like housing, schools, hospitals

• Wasted government expenditure on unused facilities
• Change in sex ratio: more women than men (e.g., Kerala – sex ratio 1084, Census 2011)
• Change in age structure: more children and elderly, fewer working-age people
• Decline in local economy and manpower
🔹 2. On Recipient Region (where people migrate to):

• Overpopulation → pressure on housing, water supply, transport, health & education

• Conversion of agricultural land for housing → decline in agriculture
• Rising land prices and increase in slums
• Strain on public services → poor quality of life
• Increase in economic inequality and crime rates
• Unfavorable sex ratio: more males due to male migration (e.g., Mumbai: 832, Pune:
948)
• Increase in working population in cities
• Positive Impact:
o Exchange of new ideas
o Innovation, research, and technological development
o Boost in economic growth