Population Class 9 ||Geography|| Chapter 6 NCERT Notes
1. Population Size and Distribution
a) India’s Population
- According to the 2011 Census, India's population was around 1.21 billion, making it the second-most populous country in the world, after China.
- Population density refers to the number of people per square kilometer. In 2011, India’s average population density was 382 persons per square kilometer.
b) Distribution of Population
- The distribution of population in India is uneven. Some areas are densely populated while others are sparsely populated.
- Densely populated areas: States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, and the National Capital Territory of Delhi have a high population density.
- Sparsely populated areas: Regions like Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and parts of Rajasthan have low population density due to factors like difficult terrain and harsh climate.
c) Factors Affecting Population Distribution
- Topography: Flat plains and fertile land (e.g., the northern plains) support a high population.
- Climate: Areas with a moderate climate (like Kerala and West Bengal) have higher population densities. Extreme climates (e.g., deserts or high mountains) tend to have sparse populations.
- Soil: Fertile soil, especially in river valleys, supports agriculture and leads to high population density.
- Availability of water: Areas near rivers and lakes (e.g., the Ganga plain) are densely populated.
- Economic Activities: Industrial and urban areas like Mumbai and Delhi attract large populations due to job opportunities.
2. Population Growth
a) Growth of Population
- Population growth refers to the increase in the number of people over time.
- The population of India has grown rapidly since independence. In 1951, India’s population was around 361 million. By 2011, it had more than tripled.
- Population growth is influenced by the birth rate, death rate, and migration.
b) Birth Rate and Death Rate
- Birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people in a year.
- Death rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 people in a year.
- In India, the birth rate is higher than the death rate, leading to population growth.
c) Migration
- Migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another.
- Internal migration occurs within a country (e.g., from rural to urban areas).
- International migration involves moving to a different country.
- Migration affects population growth in certain areas, especially urban centers.
3. Processes of Population Change
a) Natural Increase
- Natural increase is the difference between the birth rate and the death rate. When the birth rate is higher than the death rate, the population increases.
b) Migration
- Migration affects the population of different regions.
- Urban areas see an influx of people from rural regions due to job opportunities, leading to higher population densities in cities.
- Rural areas may experience population decline due to out-migration.
4. Population Composition
a) Age Composition
- Age composition refers to the number of people in different age groups.
- Children (below 15 years): These are dependent on working-age adults for food, education, and care.
- Working-age group (15-59 years): This group is economically productive.
- Elderly (above 60 years): These individuals are often retired and depend on others.
b) Sex Ratio
- The sex ratio is the number of females per 1,000 males in the population.
- According to the 2011 Census, India’s sex ratio was 940 females per 1,000 males.
- In some states like Kerala, the sex ratio is favorable to women, while in others like Haryana, it is lower.
c) Literacy Rate
- The literacy rate is the percentage of people who can read and write.
- According to the 2011 Census, India’s literacy rate was 74.04% (82.14% for males and 65.46% for females).
- Literacy is important for economic growth and improving the quality of life.
d) Occupational Structure
- The occupational structure refers to the distribution of people across different types of work.
- Primary sector: Agriculture, forestry, fishing, etc.
- Secondary sector: Manufacturing, industries, construction.
- Tertiary sector: Services like education, healthcare, banking, and transportation.
- In India, a large part of the population is engaged in the primary sector, especially agriculture.
5. National Population Policy
- India has implemented various policies to control population growth and improve the quality of life.
- National Population Policy 2000 aims to:
- Stabilize population growth.
- Improve healthcare, especially for women and children.
- Promote literacy and education, especially for girls.
- Reduce infant mortality and maternal mortality rates.
- The policy also focuses on providing access to family planning and reproductive healthcare.
6. Challenges of Population Growth
- High population growth poses challenges for India:
- Pressure on resources: More people mean greater demand for food, water, housing, healthcare, and education.
- Unemployment: High population growth can lead to job shortages, especially in urban areas.
- Poverty: Rapid population growth in rural areas contributes to poverty and underdevelopment.
- Environmental impact: Overpopulation can lead to deforestation, pollution, and depletion of natural resources.
Summary:
- India has a large and diverse population, unevenly distributed across different regions.
- Population growth is influenced by birth rate, death rate, and migration.
- India’s population is young, but challenges like a skewed sex ratio and high dependency ratios remain.
- Government policies aim to control population growth, improve literacy, and promote better healthcare.