Demographic Attributes | Geography Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Demographics refers to looking at information about people in a certain place. It's like studying things like how much money people make, how many people get married, have babies, or pass away, as well as how many people work and go to school.

• Income: This is about how much money people earn.
• Marriage Rates: This tells us how many people are getting married.
• Birth Rates: This shows how many babies are born.
• Death Rates: This is all about how many people are passing away.
• Employment: This is about how many people have jobs.
• Education: This tells us how many people go to school and learn things.

The demographics of a country depend on three main things: the size of the population, what the population is like, and where the people are located. It also looks at how the population changes over time.

Introduction

Significance of Demographic Profile

• Demographics involve studying broad characteristics of people and populations.
• Demographic data is valuable for businesses to comprehend market trends and plan for future consumer demand.
• The advent of technologies like the internet, big data, and artificial intelligence enhances the usefulness and application of demographic data.

Demographic Cycle:

• Stage 1 - High Stationary: Birth and death rates are high, leading to a stable population.
• Stage 2 - Early Expanding: Birth and death rates are low, resulting in a stationary population.
• Stage 3 - Low Stationary: Birth and death rates remain low, indicating a stable population; many industrialized countries have transitioned from high to low birth and death rates.
• Stage 4 - Late Expanding: Death rates decline, birth rates fall, and population growth occurs.
• Stage 5 - Declining: Birth rate falls below death rate, leading to a population decline.

India's population is among the highest globally, following China, and is projected to surpass China to become the most populous country by 2027, based on a UN report. The country is estimated to add around 273 million individuals between 2019 and 2050. Since gaining independence, India's population has grown significantly, reaching 1.43 billion people, which is more than five times the count in 1911.

India's Population Growth

• In 2011, India's population stood at 1,210.2 million, equivalent to the combined population of Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the United States.

Comparison with Other Countries:

• India's population is comparable to the combined populations of various countries like Japan, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the United States.

Trend in Population Growth:

• The population of India has increased markedly over the years, exemplified by the fact that it has surged from 1210 million in 2011 to 1.43 billion currently.

India has a lot of people. It's the second most populous country after China. Even though India only takes up a small part of the world's land, about 2.4%, it has a big chunk of the world's people, around 17.7%. Let's break down the percentages of some other countries compared to India.

Population, in simple terms, refers to the total number of individuals living in a particular area who can naturally reproduce with one another and are part of the living community.

The growth of population in a country like India can be explained as the change in the number of people living there over a specific period of time. This change can be shown in absolute numbers or in terms of the percentage change per year. There are three main factors that influence population growth: birth rates, death rates, and migration.

• Birth Rates: This refers to the number of babies born per 1,000 people in a year. For example, if in a town of 1,000 people, 20 babies are born in a year, the birth rate is 20 per 1,000 persons.
• Death Rates: Death rates show the number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year. If out of 1,000 individuals, 10 pass away in a year, the death rate would be 10 per 1,000 persons.
• Migration: Migration is when people move from one place to another. For instance, if some families from a village move to a city for better job opportunities, that's an example of migration.

Population growth is influenced by factors like the annual growth rate, which is the percentage increase per year. In India, the growth rate has been decreasing over the past few decades.

Factors Affecting Population Growth

• Declining Growth Rate: India's population growth rate has been slowing down.
• Reasons for Decline: This decline is linked to factors such as reduced poverty levels, increased education, especially among women, and the growth of urban areas.

Population Density

• Definition: Population density refers to the number of people per unit area.
• Variation in India: India has the highest population density globally. Densities differ across states, with West Bengal having 904 persons per square kilometer, while Arunachal Pradesh has only 13 persons per square kilometer.
• Regional Differences: Northern Plains and southern states exhibit high to very high population densities.
• Calculation: Density is determined by dividing the total population of an area by its size (area).
• Interpretation: It indicates the number of individuals residing in one square kilometer area. Some regions have high population density, while others have low density.
• Classification: High density is defined as having more than 500 people per square kilometer.

Population Distribution in India

• Low density: This means there are fewer people living in a given area. For example, Bihar is a state in India with a high population density, meaning there are many people living in a small area. On the other hand, Arunachal Pradesh has a low population density, with fewer people spread out across the land.
• Population density: This is the number of people living in a particular area, usually per square kilometer. In 2020, India's population density is expected to be around 455 people per square kilometer. The National Capital Territory of Delhi is the most densely populated union territory, while Andaman & Nicobar has a much lower population density.
• Population distribution in India: The way people are spread out across India is quite uneven. States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal have high populations, while other areas have fewer people. Various factors like geography, climate, availability of water, and historical reasons influence where people choose to live.

Population distribution across states and union territories in India in 2011 varies significantly. This distribution is influenced by several key factors like terrain and climate. Let's break down the information provided and explain it in simple terms.

Population Share:

• States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal have higher population shares compared to others.
• Smaller shares are seen in places like Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Delhi.

Factors Influencing Population Distribution:

• Flat areas with plains tend to have more people living there because it's easier to build homes, grow crops, and develop infrastructure like roads and industries.
• In contrast, mountainous regions have fewer people due to the steep slopes which limit land availability for various activities.
• For example, states like West Bengal and Bihar, which have large flat areas, tend to have higher populations than states like Uttarakhand with more mountainous terrains.

Climate:

• The weather conditions like temperature and rainfall also affect where people choose to live.
• Extreme climates can deter people from settling in an area, while moderate climates are more attractive for habitation.
• For instance, states like Kerala with its moderate climate tend to have higher populations compared to regions with harsh climates like deserts or high-altitude areas.

In summary, the distribution of population in India is not uniform and is influenced by factors like terrain and climate. Understanding these influences helps explain why certain states have higher population densities compared to others.

Population distribution is influenced by various factors such as soil fertility, availability of water bodies, mineral resources, industries, transport networks, and urbanization. These factors play a crucial role in determining where people choose to live and in what numbers. Let's break down the characteristics of the population in India and how these factors affect population concentration and density.

Factors Affecting Population Distribution

• Soil

  Fertile soil can support more people living closely together, while infertile soil can lower population numbers. For example, the alluvial soil in the Great Central Plains and coastal areas, as well as the black soil in the Deccan Plateau in India, can support higher population density.

• Water Bodies

  Water is essential for various purposes like irrigation, industries, transportation, and domestic needs. Places with abundant water resources tend to have higher population concentrations.

• Mineral Resources

  Areas rich in minerals often attract more people due to economic development and job opportunities.

• Industries

  Industrial areas can accommodate more residents compared to agricultural regions. States like West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Gujarat have seen significant population growth due to industrialization.

• Transport

  Regions with well-developed transport networks are more populated as they are easily accessible. The northern plains of India, with a dense transport network, are densely populated.

• Urbanization

  Urban areas attract migrants with employment opportunities, better education, healthcare facilities, security, and improved living standards.

Characteristics of India's Population

• Large Size and Fast Growth

  India has the second-largest population globally, following China. The population growth rate has been rapid, primarily due to high birth rates and lower death rates.

• Second Stage of Demographic Transition

  India is currently in the second stage of demographic transition. This phase is characterized by declining death rates while birth rates remain relatively high, leading to rapid population growth.
• Introduction: The information provided discusses key demographic factors in India, focusing on the sex ratio composition, age structure, work participation rate, and over-population. Let's break down and simplify these concepts.

Sex Ratio Composition Unfavourable to Female:

• The sex ratio in India shows how many females there are for every 1000 males.
• In rural India, there are 949 females for every 1000 males, while in urban areas, there are 929 females for every 1000 males.
• Rural India has 21,813,264 more males than females, and urban India has 13,872,275 more males than females.
• There is a trend of improvement in sex ratio at birth over the years as shown in the data provided.

Bottom Heavy Age Structure:

• This means that there are relatively more people in the age group of 0-14 in India, making the population younger on average.
• In 2011, around 31.3% of the population fell in the critical age group of 18-35 years.
• More than half (51.8%) of India's population is below 35 years, with a higher percentage residing in rural areas.

Low Work Participation Rate:

• India has a lower proportion of its total population engaged in the labor force compared to other countries.
• The labor force usually includes people aged 15-59, and the work participation rate is the ratio of the working population to the entire population.

Over-Population:

• Overpopulation is a situation where a country's population exceeds its sustainable capacity.
• According to T.R. Malthus, a demography pioneer, overpopulation occurs when a country's population surpasses its available resources.
• This leads to challenges in providing for the needs of the population due to scarce resources.

Literacy in India

• Literacy forms the foundation of basic education for all individuals. Being literate involves understanding social norms and having problem-solving abilities.
• Literacy encompasses the skills of reading, writing, and comprehending information to communicate effectively. It acts as a catalyst for social and human development.
• In India, adult literacy rates are calculated for individuals above 15 years old, while youth literacy rates focus on those aged between 15-24 years.
• UNESCO measures literacy by dividing the number of literate individuals within a specific age range by the corresponding age group population, then multiplying the result by 100.
• Census 2011 defines an individual aged seven or older who can both read and write as literate.

Literacy is the ability to read and write in any language. If someone can only read but cannot write, they are not considered literate. Recent data from the National Statistical Office (NSO) provides insights into literacy rates in India and various states. Let's break down and simplify the information provided.

India's Literacy Rates:

• India's average literacy rate is 77.7%, indicating the overall level of literacy in the country.
• Andhra Pradesh has the lowest literacy rate among Indian states at 66.4%, significantly lower than Bihar's 70.9%.
• Kerala leads with the highest literacy rate at 96.2%, followed by Delhi at 88.7%.

Comparison with Other Regions:

• Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Pakistan, Uttarakhand, Haryana, and more regions are mentioned in the data.

Highest Literacy Rates:

• Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are highlighted for their varying literacy rates.
• The region with the highest literacy rate is shown to be Uttar Pradesh at 93.91%.

Geographical Insights:

• The map shows various states and territories in India and neighboring countries like China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.
• The literacy rates are depicted in different ranges across regions to provide a visual representation.

Additional Information:

• The map copyright is dated 2020 and credits Maps of India.
• The national average literacy rate in 2011 was 74.04%, with distinctions made based on percentage ranges.
• Special notes are provided for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh regarding data presentation before their bifurcation.

Literacy Rate in India According to Census 2011

• The literacy rate in India in 2011 was 74.04 percent. 
• For men, the literacy rate was 82.14 percent, and for women, it was 65.46 percent. 
• Kerala had the highest literacy rate at 93.91 percent, followed by Lakshadweep at 92.28 percent and Mizoram at 91.58 percent. 
• On the other hand, Bihar had the lowest literacy rate at 63.82 percent, preceded by Arunachal Pradesh at 66.95 percent and Rajasthan at 67.06 percent.

Gender Gap in Literacy

• Gender gap in literacy is a significant issue, especially in India. 
• It refers to differences in education levels between men and women. 
• According to the 2011 Census, the overall literacy rate was 73 percent, with 80.9 percent for men and 64.6 percent for women.

• According to the NSO data, the gap at the all-India level is 14.4 percentage points with male literacy at 84.7% and feminine literacy at 70.3%. The gap between urban and rural literacy rates is of an equivalent order of magnitude as that between males and females. 
• Kerala has the smallest gap between male and feminine literacy that is just 2.2 percentage points.

Sex Ratio in India

• The sex ratio is a vital social indicator that assesses gender equality in society.
• It helps measure the balance between males and females in a given population.

The sex ratio of a population is the ratio of males to females at a given point in time. It is usually expressed as the number of males for every 100 females, or alternatively, as the number of females per thousand males. This ratio can vary due to different patterns of death and migration for males and females within the population. For example, males may be more affected by wars and more likely to migrate to other regions or countries, which can influence the sex ratio, especially among young adult males.

Sex Ratio in India:

• According to the 2011 Census in India, the gender ratio is 943 females per 1000 males.
• States like Jammu & Kashmir have a gender ratio of 859 females per 1000 males, while states like Arunachal Pradesh have a ratio of 960 females per 1000 males.

Significance of Sex Ratio:

• A sex ratio below 1, such as 0.9, indicates more females than males in a population, while a ratio above 1, like 1.1, shows more males than females.
• For instance, a sex ratio of 1.05 would mean 105 males for every 100 females.

Impact of Migration:

• Migration patterns can significantly affect sex ratios in different regions or countries.
• When more males migrate for work or other reasons, it can lead to imbalances in sex ratios in those areas.

Global Comparison:

• India's sex ratio places it at 189th out of 201 countries, indicating a higher proportion of females in the population.
• Improvements in a country's sex ratio from one census to another can indicate changes in societal trends and policies.

United Nations Data:

• According to the United Nations, the sex ratio is calculated as the number of males per 100 females.
• India's sex ratio of 108.176 means there are 924 females for every 1000 males in the country.

Fertility Rate in India

• The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, based on current fertility rates.
• TFR is a key indicator of population trends.
• India's TFR decreased to 2.2 in 2017.

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR):

• IMR reflects the health conditions of a country or region, with lower rates indicating better healthcare.
• IMR is the number of infant deaths per 1,000 live births in a specified period and region.
• Causes of infant deaths include premature birth, infections, and other factors.
• In 2019, India's IMR was around 28.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, showing a significant improvement.

The demographic dividend in India

Key Points:

• Young Population: India has a significant number of young people, with around half of the population expected to be below the age of 30 in the next 15 years.

• Increasing Workforce: India's labor force has been growing steadily, from 475 million in 2006 to an estimated 526 million in 2011, and projected to reach 653 million by 2031.

• Demographic Opportunity: With a growing working-age population, India is expected to have a decreasing proportion of dependents to support, leading to economic benefits until 2031.

Estimates by UNFPA:

• Demographic Dividends: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) suggests that India stands to gain from its expanding working-age population.

• Age Distribution: About 30% of India's population is under 14 years old, while 62% fall within the working-age bracket of 15-59 years. Only 8% of the population is aged 60 or above.

• Future Projections: UNFPA projects that India's working-age population could peak at 65% by the year 224.

The information provided here talks about the share of the working-age population and population growth rate in a country. It also highlights some predictions and comparisons related to India and China's population demographics.

Share of Working-Age Population:

• The share of working-age population refers to the percentage of people within a certain age range who are typically part of the workforce.
• This data is crucial for understanding the potential labor force available in a country.
• An example to explain this concept: Imagine a country with a 60% working-age population. This means that out of every 100 people, 60 fall within the age range suitable for work.

Population Growth Rate:

• Population growth rate indicates the speed at which a population is increasing over a specific period.
• A growth rate of 0% means the population size remains the same, while a negative rate implies a decrease.
• For instance, if a country has a population growth rate of 2%, it means the population is expanding by 2% each year.

Demographic Dividends:

• Demographic dividends are the economic benefits that arise from changes in a population's age structure.
• These dividends occur when a country experiences a significant increase in the working-age population compared to dependents (children and elderly).
• Example: A country with a high share of working-age individuals can potentially experience rapid economic growth due to a larger workforce contributing to the economy.

India and China Comparison:

• India is projected to surpass China as the world's most populous country by 2020.
• The median age of the population in India is 28, while in China, it is 37, indicating a younger population in India.
• By 2050, India's population is estimated to reach 1.73 billion, adding around 400 million more people.

Demographic dividend refers to the economic benefit a country can gain from having a large working-age population relative to the dependent population. This demographic shift can lead to various opportunities and challenges for a nation's economy and society.

Benefits of Demographic Dividend:

• Labour Supply: When there is an increase in the number of working-age individuals, it can potentially boost the labor force. However, this advantage depends on the economy's ability to effectively employ these additional workers.
• Increase in Savings: A decline in the number of dependents can lead to higher savings rates among individuals. This increase in national savings can contribute to capital formation in developing countries, enhancing productivity and economic growth.
• Human Capital: Lower fertility rates can result in healthier women and reduced economic burdens on families. This allows parents to allocate more resources per child, leading to improved health and educational outcomes.
• Economic Growth: Changing age demographics can create employment opportunities for the expanding working-age population, fueling economic growth. This phase can also bring other benefits like increased savings, greater female workforce participation, and higher household spending.

Concerns related to Demographic Dividend:

• Challenges to Employment and Employability: In India, there has been a decline in the labor force participation rate, particularly among women. This trend poses a risk to India's demographic dividend, with unemployment reaching alarming levels.
• Jobless Growth: A significant portion of India's working-age population is unemployed, raising concerns about the economy's ability to create sufficient jobs. Global economic trends, including isolationism, further exacerbate worries about jobless growth in India.
• Poor Performance in Human Development Parameters: India's ranking in the Human Development Index is relatively low, indicating shortcomings in health and education. To harness its demographic dividend effectively, India needs to focus on enhancing health and education outcomes.

India faces several challenges in areas like education, healthcare, and the economy. These challenges have significant impacts on the country's development and well-being. Let's break down the key points related to these challenges and their implications:

• Benefits: India stands to gain from addressing its challenges in education, healthcare, and the economy. By overcoming these hurdles, the country can experience improved productivity and overall well-being.
• Concern: There are several concerns that need to be addressed, including the low female workforce participation rate, dominance of the informal economy, and the lack of skilled labor.
• Increase in women workforce: India has a lower female labor force participation rate compared to countries like Bhutan and Bangladesh. To fully benefit from the demographic dividend, India must tap into the talent of its female workforce.
• Dominance of the informal economy: A significant portion of India's labor force operates in the informal economy, which poses challenges to the country's economic growth. Issues like labor exploitation, illicit financial activities, and money laundering are prevalent in this sector.
• Lack of skills: India's ability to leverage the demographic dividend is hindered by a shortage of skilled workers. Government initiatives such as Skill India have not been effective due to deficiencies in the education system.

Simplifying complex ideas involves breaking them down into simpler terms that are easier to understand. By providing context, using analogies, and focusing on key points, we can make information more accessible and digestible for others. Let's explore this concept further with examples and detailed explanations.

Paraphrasing Information:

• Definition: Simplifying information means explaining it in a way that is easier to grasp.
• Importance: It helps people understand complex topics without getting overwhelmed.
• Example: Explaining the concept of photosynthesis using a simple analogy of a factory producing goods.

Elaboration:

• Breaking Down: Breaking complex ideas into smaller parts makes it easier to understand each component.
• Context: Providing background information or real-world examples can aid in comprehension.
• Analogies: Comparing unfamiliar concepts to familiar ones helps in drawing parallels for better understanding.

Examples:

• Mathematics: Explaining fractions by using a pizza as a visual aid.
• Science: Describing gravity by likening it to a magnet pulling objects towards it.
• Language: Understanding synonyms by relating them to different words with similar meanings.