India  Human Resources & Population
Population size, density, pyramid, literacy, sex ratio, demographic dividend, population policy.
India  Human Resources & Population
Human Resources & Population
What you'll learn
- Human resources — people as an economic asset; their skills and labour drive development.
- India's population — size, distribution, density, growth rate.
- Population pyramid — age-sex structure; what it tells us.
- Literacy rate, sex ratio, infant mortality rate — development indicators.
- Population policy — government efforts to manage growth.
Key concepts
India's population — key figures (Census 2011)
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Total population | 1.21 billion (2nd in world after China; now ~1.44 billion) |
| Decadal growth rate (2001–11) | 17.7% |
| Population density | 382 persons/km² |
| Literacy rate | 74.04% (M: 82.1%, F: 65.5%) |
| Sex ratio | 943 females per 1000 males |
| Infant mortality rate (IMR) | 44 per 1000 live births (2011) |
Distribution and density
- Densely populated: Uttar Pradesh (most populous state), Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra — fertile plains, better jobs.
- Sparsely populated: Arunachal Pradesh (lowest density: 17/km²), Rajasthan (desert), Jammu & Kashmir (mountains).
- Most populous state: Uttar Pradesh (~200 million).
- Least populous state: Sikkim.
Population growth
Three phases:
| Period | Growth | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1921 | Slow / stagnant | High birth rate + high death rate (famines, epidemics) |
| 1921–1951 | Moderate | Improved healthcare, fewer famines; 1921 = "Year of Great Divide" |
| 1951–1981 | Rapid ("population explosion") | Death rate fell fast; birth rate still high; Green Revolution improved food supply |
| 1981–present | Declining | Family planning; better education (especially of women); urbanisation |
Demographic transition: as countries develop, birth rates fall → population growth slows.
Population pyramid
A bar graph showing age and sex composition:
- Young / expansive pyramid (wide base): high birth rate, high growth → developing countries.
- Constrictive pyramid (narrow base): low birth rate, ageing population → developed countries.
- India's pyramid: wide base (many young) but base narrowing → transition stage.
Key development indicators
| Indicator | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Literacy rate | % of people who can read & write; reflects education level |
| Sex ratio | Females per 1000 males; low = discrimination against girls |
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | Deaths per 1000 live births before age 1; reflects healthcare quality |
| Life expectancy | Average years a person is expected to live; India ~69 years (2020) |
| Birth rate | Live births per 1000 population per year |
| Death rate | Deaths per 1000 population per year |
Adolescent population
- India has world's largest adolescent population (10–19 years) — ~253 million.
- Opportunity: demographic dividend — large working-age population can boost economy IF educated and employed.
- Challenge: need massive investment in education, skills, jobs.
National Population Policy (2000)
Goals:
- Reduce total fertility rate (TFR) to replacement level (2.1 children per woman).
- Reduce IMR to below 30 per 1000.
- Achieve universal immunisation.
- Make school education free and compulsory.
- Prevent child marriage.
Achievements: TFR fell from 6 (1951) to ~2.0 (2020) — near replacement level.
Quick check
- What is India's population density? Which state has the highest density?
- What is the "Year of Great Divide" in India's population history?
- Draw and explain a population pyramid. What shape does India's have?
- What is the sex ratio? Why is a low sex ratio a concern?
- What is the demographic dividend? How can India benefit from it?
Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Human Resources.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- What you'll learn
- Key concepts
- Quick check
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