The world’s population is dispersed unevenly around the globe. Deserts, thick woods, and hilly locations have a low population density, whereas coastal and deltaic plains, mild climates, agricultural areas, industrialized areas, and metropolitan centres have a high population density.

• This dispersion of the population across the earth’s geographical area is referred to as population distribution.
• There are two major types of factors that affect the distribution of the population: Variables that affect the environment include geographical factors such as latitude and altitude; relief, temperature, and mineral and energy resources; as well as social factors such as industrialization, urbanization, economic and political climate, etc.
• Every country aspires to have a healthy and educated working population that can help the country progress.

Learn more about people and the demographic dividends in this article.

Population Pressure

• In terms of population, India is the world’s second-most populous country, behind China.
• According to the 2011 census, India has a population of more than 121 crore people. A 1.03% rise was seen between 1990 and 2001..
• India’s population growth is being driven by a dramatic drop in mortality. The birth rate has not dropped as rapidly.
• The death rate is defined as the number of individuals who died per thousand people in a year. The birth rate is defined as the number of infants born per thousand people.
• Low death rates indicate that medical services and quality of life has increased when compared to earlier times. But high birth rates increase the resource crunch in developing countries.
• When a person is healthy and willing to work at the present wage rate, but unable to find work, they are considered unemployed. It is a state of involuntary, rather than deliberate, inactivity.

Learn more about the Census of India 2011 here.

Human Capital

• Just like raw energy resources that require refinement, human capital can be converted into human resources only if they are provided with quality education and healthcare facilities.
• Human capital is an intangible asset that is developed in the body and mind of its owner through education.
• Human capital is not sold on the market; only its services are. As a result, the owner of the human capital must be present at the place of production in order to sell his services.
• The fruits of human capital development directly influence the economic growth of countries.
• Economic growth is often equated with the rise of a country’s actual national income; naturally, an educated person’s contribution to economic growth is greater than an uneducated person’s contribution.
• An individual’s ability to work for extended periods of time while in good health is also a significant element in economic growth. There are numerous elements that affect both education and health, including on-the-job training, knowledge about the labour market, as well as immigration.

Read about World Population Day (July 11) here.

Demographic Dividend

• The term “demographic dividend” refers to economic development caused by a shift in the age structure of a country’s population.
• India has 62.5 percent of its population between the ages of 15 and 59, a number that is steadily growing and is expected to reach 65 percent by 2036.
• According to these population characteristics, India is experiencing a demographic dividend that will endure till 2055-56.
• In 2041, India’s Demographic Dividend would reach its pinnacle, according to the Economic Survey 2018-19.
• Having its lion share of citizens in the active working population is a boon for any nation.
• It is estimated that by 2022, the median age in India would be 28 years old, compared to 37 in China and the United States and 49 years in Japan.
• As a result, India’s population of working age has surpassed that of non-working age by a significant margin.
• There has been a demographic dividend since 2004-2005, and it is expected to continue for the next five decades.

We hope this article helped you learn more about the People, Population, and Demographic Dividend. Download the Testbook App for more exam preparation material.