India: A growing population Higher Geography: Human Environments, Population

Aims of this case study…. At Higher you are expected to use named examples you have studied. E.g “for a named ELDC discuss the impacts a slow population growth has had on the country” By the end of this case study you should be able to: Discuss the population structure of the India. Discuss the reasons for a rapid population growth. Discuss the impacts of a rapid population growth. Discuss the solutions to a rapid population growth.

How does this happen? A rapid population growth is caused by a decline and fall in death rates and a continuing high birth rate. This can be identified on the Demographic Transition Model.

Reasons for an rapidly growing population High fertility ratesDeclining Death rates Less access to family planning and religious believes mean women have little or no control over children Improved access to medical facilities and a better understanding of health and sanitation. Children are needed to work on the land and look after parents in old age. Improvements in food production and supply mean less people dying from malnutrition. Women have less rights, are less educated and get married much younger allowing more time to have children. Reduction in childhood diseases and inoculations and vaccinations against simple diseases such as polio. Culture, religion and status influence the number of children. Wealth and education. High Infant mortality rates.

Impact of an rapidly growing population NEW DELHI -- India's rapid growth in recent years has thrown up a new challenge -- managing scarce water resources to meet the rising demand from an equally fast growing population The fundamental idea of economics is that economic resources are limited, but human wants are unlimited. ……. food production has barely kept up with population With the population still increasing by a figure equal to the entire population of Australia every year, it is accepted India's attempts to stabilise it have already failed. All of my children work, and between us we have enough to feed the family. We've got no debts. Mohammed Omar, father of 24 Well before hitting the one billion mark, the demands of India's population were outrunning its natural resource base. This can be seen in its shrinking forests, deteriorating rangelands, and falling water tables.

“1 IN 6 PEOPLE ON EARTH LIVE IN INDIA!!!!!” Housing Lack of land mean people move to the cities resulting in rapid urbanization. Poor living standards in India’s cities, slums – scarce resources. Jobs Providing enough jobs for the 10 million new entrants into the job market each year is even more difficult Education With a staggering 338 million children under 15 years of age, India is also facing a major challenge on the educational front. Failure to provide adequate education has undermined efforts to slow population growth since female access to education is a key to smaller families.

Continued… Age Structure High dependency ratio. Economic Problems Huge amounts of money have to be spent on projects which give no financial return e.g housing. Food Unequal distribution, supply is not keeping up with demand Health The lack of food and poor living conditions mean the population is in poor health. This is turn affects the working capacity and ability of people to grow food or earn money. (Source: Office of National Statistics)“ DD

Solutions 1070’s – forced sterilization Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Program. Efforts were made to provide ante-natal, intra-natal, and post- natal care to women. The pulse polio initiative, initiated in 1996, aimed at the eradication of polio by Other issues concerning women - such as gender equality, stopping violence against women, supporting women's reproductive and sexual health rights should also be integrated in this comprehensive health policy Could a policy similar to China’s anti natal approach work in India???