Class 12 Geography

India – People and Economy: Chapter 1

Population – Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition

📍 Population Distribution in India

  • India’s population is unevenly distributed. The Northern Plains and coastal areas are densely populated due to fertile soil and water availability. On the other hand, deserts, mountains, and forested regions have sparse populations.

  • The first population Census in India was conducted in 1872 but its first complete Census was conducted only in 1881

    • 📊 Population Density

    Population density is defined as the number of people per square kilometer. According to the 2011 Census, India had a population density of 382 persons/km². Bihar(1102) is the most densely populated state, while Arunachal Pradesh(17) has the lowest density.

    📈 Population Growth

    Population growth refers to the increase in the number of individuals in a population. India’s population growth can be divided into four phases:

    🧬 Population Composition

    This includes characteristics like age, sex, literacy rate, occupation, and health. In India, the male-female ratio is slightly skewed, with a preference for male children in many areas. Literacy and occupational structure vary regionally.

    Composition of Working Population Standard Census Definition

  • Main Worker is a person who works for atleast 183 days ( or six months) in a year.
  • Marginal Worker is a person who works for less than 183 days ( or six months) in a year.

    • Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

    is a flagship scheme launched by the Government of India in January 2015 to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and promote the education and empowerment of girls.

    Objectives:

  • Prevent gender-biased sex selection and female foeticide.
  • Ensure survival & protection of the girl child.
  • Promote education and skill development for girls.
  • Change societal mindsets to value daughters.

    🔍 Key Concepts

    • Crude Birth Rate (CBR) – Number of births per 1000 population/year
    • Death Rate – Number of deaths per 1000 population/year
    • Natural Growth Rate = CBR - Death Rate
    • Physiological density = total population / net cultivated area
    • Agricultural density = total agricultural population / net cultivable area

    ✅ Conclusion

    Understanding population patterns is essential for planning, development, and resource allocation. Policies must address uneven growth and promote balanced development across regions.