Chapter = 6 Population
What Is Population?
A population is the complete set group of individuals, whether that group comprises a nation or a
group of people with a common characteristic.
The number of people who live in a particular area, city or country.
Demography
Demography is the statistical study of human populations. Demographers use census data,
surveys, and statistical models to analyse the size, movement, and structure of populations.
Census
A census is an official enumeration of population done periodically.
Census In India
In India the first census was held in the year 1872. But the first complete census however was taken in
the year 1881. Since then censuses have been held regularly every tenth year.
Total Population of India
India’s population as on March, 2011 stood at 121 crore (presently more than 130 crore). India’s
population accounts for 17.5 per cent of the world population.
The population of India at 1210.2 million (121 crore) is almost equal to the combined population of
USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Japan.
Most populous state in India
According to the 2011 census, Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state in the country. Where the total
population is 199281477. Uttar Pradesh is home to 16percent of the total population of the country.
Least populous state in India
Sikkim is the least populous state in the country according to the 2011 census. Where total population
is 607688.
States with half the population of India
Almost half of India’s population lives in just five states. These states are :-Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Bihar, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
Population density
Population density is calculated as the number of persons per unit area.
Population density in India
The population density of India in the year 2011 was 382 persons per sq km. Densities vary from 1,102
persons per sq km in Bihar to only 17 persons per sq. km in Arunachal Pradesh.
State with highest population density
Bihar (1102 persons per square km.)
State with lowest population density
Arunachal Pradesh (17 person per sq. km.)
Population Growth
Growth of population refers to the change in the number of inhabitants of a country/territory during a
specific period of time, say during the last 10 years.
Such a change can be expressed in two ways:-
absolute numbers
in terms of percentage change per year.
absolute increase :-
The absolute numbers added each year or decade is the magnitude of increase. It is obtained by simply
subtracting the earlier population (e.g. that of 2001) from the later population (e.g. that of 2011). It is
referred to as the absolute increase.
annual growth rate :-
It is studied in per cent per annum, e.g. a rate of increase of 2 per cent per annum means that in a given
year, there was an increase of two persons for every100 persons in the base population. This is
referred to as the annual growth rate.
Processes of population change
There are three main processes of change of population :-
1). Birth rates :- number of live births per thousand persons in a year.
2). Death rates :- number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
3). Migration :- movement of people across regions and territories. It is of two types :
1. Migration can be internal (within the country).
2. Migration can be international (between the countries).
Internal migration does not change the size of the population, but influences the distribution of
population within the nation.
Migration plays a very significant role in changing the composition and distribution of population.
Adolescent Population
The most significant feature of the Indian population is the size of its adolescent population. It
constitutes one-fifth of the total population of India. generally, grouped in the age group of 10 to 19
years.
National Population Policy
Family Planning Programme (1952)
The National Population Policy (2000)
Imparting free and compulsory education upto 14 years of age
Reduce infant mortality rate
Vaccinate children for immunisation
Promote delayed marriages for girls.
Family welfare program