A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. In ecology the population of a certain species in a certain area is estimated using the Lincoln Index. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross- breeding with individuals from other areas. Normally breeding is substantially more common within the area than across the border. In sociology, population refers to a collection of human beings. Demography is a social science which entails the statistical study of human populations. This article refers mainly to human population.

1.PopulationSizeAndDistribution 2.Populationgrowthandprocessofpopulation change 3.Charactersticsorqualitiesofthepopulation

1. India’s population size and distribution by numbers: AsperMarch2001,India’s population stood at1,028 million,whichaccountfor16.7 percent of the world’s population. Accordingtothedata,UttarPradeshisthe most populous state of India withapopulation size of 166 million, whichaccount for 16 percent of total India's population. Sikkim'spopulation-0.5million(5lakhs)while Lakshadweephas60 thousandpeople. Thefive statesUttarPradesh,Maharashtra, Bihar,WestBengal,andAndhraPradesh. Rajasthanholdsalmost halfofIndian

India, with 1,220,200,000 (1.22 billion) people is the second most populous country in the world, while China is on the top with over 1,350,044,605 (1.35 billion) people..

 Population Growth refers to the change in the number of inhabitants of a country or territory during a specific period of time, say during the last ten years.  The change can be expressed in two ways → in terms of absolute numbers → in terms of percentage change per year  The absolute number is calculated by simply subtracting the earlier population (e.g. that of 1991) from the later population (e.g. that of 2001). It is referred to as the absolute increase.

 The rate of population 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 every 100 persons in the base population. This is referred to as the annual growth rate.  India’s population has been steadily increasing from 361 million in 1951 to 1028 million in  Since 1981, however, the rate of growth started declining gradually as birth rates declined rapidly. But India has a very large population so when a low annual rate is applied to a very large population, it yields a large absolute increase.  At this growth rate, India may overtake China in 2045 to become the most populous country in the world.

Processes of Population Change/Growth There are three main processes of change of population :  birth rates  death rates  migration

Population Growth Rate in India

There are three main processes of change of population : Birth Rates, death rates and migration. Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. In India, birth rates have always been higher than death rates. Death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year. In India, there is rapid decline in death rates which is the main cause of growth of the Indian population. Till 1980, high birth rates and declining death rates resulted in higher rate of population growth but since 1981, birth rates have also started declining gradually, resulting in a gradual decline in the rate of population growth. Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. This can be internal (within the country) or international (between the countries).

 Internal migration does not change the size of the population, but changes the distribution of population within the nation.  In India, most migrations have been from rural to urban areas because of adverse conditions of poverty and unemployment in the rural areas and increased employment opportunities and better living conditions in city.  Effects of Migrations: → It changes the population size. → It also changes the population composition of urban and rural populations in terms of age and sex composition.  In India, the rural-urban migration has resulted in a steady increase in the percentage of population in cities and towns.

The age composition of a population refers to the number of people in different age groups in a country. The number and percentage of a population found within the children, working age and aged groups are notable determinants of the population ’ s social and economic structure. Population of country can be grouped into three categories : → Children ( below 15 years ): economically unproductive, need to be provided with food, clothing, education and medical care. Comprises 34.4% of total India ' s population. → Working Age (15-59 years ): economically productive and biologically reproductive. Considered as working population. Comprises 6.9% of total India ' s population. → Aged ( Above 59 years ): can be economically productive though they may have retired. May be working but they are not available for employment through recruitment. Comprises 58.7% of total India ' s population.

34% 59% 7%

Sex ratio is defined as the no. of females per 1000 males in the population. This information is an important social indicator to measure the extent of equality between males and females in a society at a given time.

Census YearSex Ratio (Females per 1000 males ) India : Sex ratio

Literacy is a very important quality of a population. According to the census of 2001, a person aged 7 years and above who can read and write with understanding in any language, is treated as literate. The literacy rate in the country as per the census of 2001 is 64.84% ; 75.26% for males and53.67% for females.

 The distribution of the population according to different types of occupation is referred to as the occupational structure.  Occupations are generally classified as : 1.Primary activities 2.Secondary activities

3. Tertiary activities include transport, communications, commerce, administration and other services. Developed nations have a high proportion of people in secondary, and tertiary activities. Developing countries tend to have a higher proportion of their workforce engaged in primary activities. In India, India, about 64% of the population is engaged only in agriculture. While the proportion of population dependent on secondary and tertiary sectors is about 13% and 20% respectively.

1.Primary activities include agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, fishing, mining and quarrying, etc.

2.Secondary activities include manufacturing industry, building and construction work, etc.

Tertiary activities

Hea lth  Health is an important component of population composition, which affects the process of development.  Death rates have declined from 25/1000 population in 1951 to 8.1/1000 in 2001 and life expectancy at birth has increased from 36.7 years in 1951 to 64.6 years in  In India the per capita calorie consumption is much below the recommended levels.  Safe drinking water & basic sanitation amenities are available to only 1/3 rd of the rural population.

Adolescent Population

National Population Policy  Government of India initiated the comprehensive Family Planning Programme in  This programme has sought to promote responsible & planned parenthood on a voluntary basis.  The NPP 2000 provides a policy framework for :

1.Imparting free & compulsory school education up to 14 yrs of age. 2.Reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births. 3.Achieving universal immunisation of children against various diseases. 4.Promoting delayed marriage for girls.

NPP 2000 And Adolescents ᵹ NPP 2000 identified adolescents as one of the major sections of the population that need greater attention. ᵹ The policy also puts greater emphasis on other imp. Needs including protection from unwanted pregnancies & sexually transmitted disease (STD).