CHAPTER 2: POPULATION PART 2
2.1 Introduction:
In
the first chapter, we have studied population distribution in the world,
density of population, factors affecting population distribution, components of
population change, population growth and demographic transition theory.
Next
part of this chapter includes- population composition – age structure, sex
ratio, literacy rate, occupation structure, rural urban structure, migration.
This chapter also emphasizes human as a developmental resource.
2.2 Population composition:
In the previous chapter we have studied difference between population composition and population structure. (hyperlink) Population composition refers to measurable characteristics of population which help to distinguish one group of people from other. Ex. Age, sex, literacy rate, occupation etc.
We
will study these characteristics one by one:
2.2.1
Age structure:
Age structure represents the number of people of different age group like infants, children, teenagers, young, adults, old people. Their share in total population varies region to region.
Age groups
0-14
years – dependent population
15-59
years- working population
Above
60 years - dependent population
Demographic
dividend:
Demographic
dividend means a boost in economic productivity that occurs when there are
growing numbers of people in the workforce with reference to number of
dependents.
Demographic
dividend occurs when the proportion of working people in the total population
is high because this indicates that more people have potential to be productive
and contribute to growth of the economy.
Benefits
of demographic dividend:
1)
Increase in the labour supply
2)
Increase in savings
3)
Human capital - decrease in fertility rates - healthier women - economic
independency
4)
Increase in domestic demand and GDP
These
benefits are not achieved automatically. It depends on whether the government
implements the right policies in areas such as education, health, research etc.
Age
structure of population indicates indirectly the economic status of a country.
High dependency ratio in the population indicates greater expenditure of
medical, health, education facilities. These observations can be easily done
with the help of population pyramid.
2.2.1a
Population Pyramid:
It is graphical representation of age and sex
composition of a population.
On
x axis- population
On
Y axis – different age group are shown from bottom to up in increasing order
On
right side of Y axis- number of females
On
left side of Y axis- number of males are shown.
Page
no. 12 of the book-
(Source: https://ebalbharati.in/main/books.html)
2.2.1b
Types
of Population pyramids:
|
Name of the Pyramid |
Rough diagram |
Birth rate |
Death rate |
Shape of the pyramid |
Characteristics of population |
|
Expansive |
high |
Broad base narrow apex |
Low life expectancy |
||
|
Constrictive |
low |
Dependent population is more |
|||
|
Stationary |
Very low |
Importance
of population pyramid:
1)
Population pyramid helps to understand the economic dependency of a country
by observing dependent and independent population.
2)
Industries can be developed if the working population is higher. Higher
working population is indicator of ample amount of workforce. How this
workforce is going to be used determines the results.
3)
But the higher working population is unskilled then it also comes under
the category of non working population.
4)
Higher the dependent population higher the economic stress on
the country. Working population will be unable to sustain them.
5)
Dependency ratio determines the activeness of an economy of a country.
Future of a country can be easily understood by observing population pyramid of
that country.
The ratio between the number of women and men in the population is called the sex ratio. In India, it is calculated using the following formula:
It shows the gender distribution and also observe through population pyramid with reference to different age groups.
• In the world in general sex ratio is 990
• India has sex ratio 933 according to 2011
census.
• Highest in Kerala =1058
• Lowest in Haryana= 968
• Maharashtra = 929
(it
is ratio therefore it has no unit)
2.2.3
Literacy and education:
Literacy rate is basic indicator of the
socio-economic development achieved by a country. It shows the standard of
living, availability of educational facilities and policies of the government,
social status of females. Every country has its own definition of literacy. It
acts as a catalyst in social upliftment.
In India - literacy rate denotes the percentage of population above 7 years of age, which is able to read, write and has the ability to do arithmetic calculations with understanding.
2.2.4 Occupation structure:
Occupation structure refers to the proportion of working population engaged in various sectors of economy. It determines the status of that economy. If the economy is still agrarian with low GDP then it is because the most of the people are engaged in the primary sector.
Occupation
structure shows diversification of a economy. If most of the population is
engaged in primary sector that region or country will be under developed
status. If most of the population is engaged in secondary and tertiary sector
then it may be developing region or country. And if most of the population
engaged in tertiary, quaternary, quinary activities it may be developed
country.
2.2.5
Rural-urban composition:
The division of population into rural and urban is based on the residence. The age, sex, occupational structure, density of population, literacy rate, level of development varies between rural and urban area. The criteria for defining rural and urban area vary country to country.
In
general people where most of the population is engaged in the primary
activities are considered as rural area. On the other hand, urban areas where
most of the people are engaged in non-primary activities like secondary,
tertiary activities.
When an individual or group of individuals moves from one place to another, from one political boundary to another, for lesser or longer duration or permanently; this movement is called migration. It can be voluntary or forceful.
2.3.1
Types of migration:
1) Economic migration – most of the
time people migrate in search of jobs. It can be within the state or out of the
country – international. It can be voluntary, rural to urban type of migration
but motive is economic.
Ex. In India most of the rural
population migrated to nearby metro cities in search of job. People from Konkan migrate to Mumbai, Pune.
2) social migration- sometimes
people forced to move, as there is no other option. Reasons may be different
like political instability, war, disaster etc.
Ex. At the time of partition between
India and Pakistan social migration happened, Palestine issue- Jews were
migrated in Israel etc.
B) On the basis of distance - this migration
is based on traveling distance. It can be classified as short distance and
long-distance migration. But there is no specified distances, it is relative
here.
1) Short distance migration- mainly it refers
to migration within the country. Migration period may be varied. This migration
does not cross political boundaries of country. It can be internal migration
also.
Ex. Mumbai to Pune daily migration,
intra district (within a district) migration, inter district migration (between
two districts) etc.
2) Long distance migration – generally it
takes between two countries.
In earlier times, people move to conquer
another region. Travellers travelled in search of new land. Refugees had to
migrate to different places. Now people move to another country for education,
jobs, business etc.
Ex. Middle east Asian countries attract
population by offering jobs to them. Students from developing countries move to
developed countries like USA, England, Japan for higher education, better
quality life and attractive salaries. Development of multinationals, out
sourcing of the work has brought major change in this type of migration.
C) on the basis of duration - this type of migration can be sub classified
as per duration of stay.
1) short term migration – people can
migrate daily,weekly, periodically, seasonally.
Ex. Daily from residence to workplace, holidays trips, tourism workers,
nomadic herders migration is seasonal. Gujjars in Himalayas.
2) Long term migration – people migrate
in search of residence, job, after marriage so this is mostly permanent type of
migration and main motive is economical.
Ex. People migrate from their native
places to cities.
D) on the basis
of region - this type of migration takes place within country and out
of country. These categories more and less similar to distance based
categories.
1) internal
migration – it can be within country boundaries. State to state, district to
district, district to tehsil, village to city etc.
Ex. Bihar to
Maharashtra, Maharashtra to Goa, Konkan to Mumbai etc.
2) external
migration – it is mainly between two countries.
Ex. Researchers from different countries migrate temporarily to antarctica, students may permanently migrate to another country for job or business.
2.3.2
Reasons of migration:
|
Physical |
Economical |
Social |
Political |
Natural calamities |
|
1) Good climate, fertile soil attract population
2) Extreme climate, aridity push population to another
region
3) disasters responsible for migration of people
|
1) to improve standard of living, people migrate to
urban area
2) in search of jobs, business opportunities people
migrate.
3) undeveloped economy push population to developing or
developing region |
1) People have tendency to move in areas where they
have known nighborhood. (it can be same religion,caste, occupation etc)
2) for better facilities people migrate to urban areas.
3) social injustice, instability forced them to migrate
|
1) war After WW-I&II
2) during recession period 1929, 2008 – countries
changed their immigration policies, put restrictions on visas and work
permits.
3) Political instability,threats
|
1) earthquakes, tsunami,floods, Fires etc are Sudden and forced to migrate residents.
Ex. Landslide in Malin village(Pune)
Floods in Bihar, UP, Kolhapur in Maharashtra. Etc.
Bhopal gas disaster forced people to migrate. |
PULL AND PUSH FACTORS OF MIGRATION:
These are also
causes of migration.
Push factors Pull factors Low wages,
unemployment, poverty, low demand, low consumption, low standard of living Economic factors High wages, labour
demand, high demand, employment generation capacity is higher, high living
standard Social injustice,
instability, inadequate social facilities like education, health related
facilities Social factors Social stability,
peace, integrity, welfare state, more
advanced facilities of education, health etc. conficts, civil
war, border issues, dictatorship, violation of human rights, oppression of
minorities Political factors Democracy, rule of
law, political stability, good administration, peace and security, protection
of human rights and minorities. Population growth,
age structure Demographic
factors Declining
population, stable population, ageing population Decision of
family, clan, marriage Other factors Ethnic community
2.3.3 Impacts of migration:
|
Positive impacts |
Negative impacts |
|
1.
Unemployment is reduced and
people get better job opportunities. 2.
Improvement in standard of
living 3.
Improvement in social life as
get access to new culture, customs 4.
Migration of skill labours
boost economic growth 5.
Get better facilities
educational, health etc 6.
Population density is reduced
in origin of migration. |
1.
Stress on job opportunities in
destination area of migration 2.
Stress on resources, amenities
after migration and results in slums 3.
Change in lifestyle affect
physical and mental health 4.
Migration of unskilled labours
burden on economy 5.
Stress on amenities, services
like health, banking 6.
Change in population structure
– density increases, sex ratio & age structure also changes etc. 7.
It all can result into
internal disputes, civil conflicts etc. |
All the above-mentioned impacts can be studied as follows also:
Impact on
origin location Positive Negative 1) less competition in job, unemployment can be reduced 1) declining population, higher sex ratio- falls impression of good
female status, 2) less pressure on natural resources 2) unskilled workers- brain drain – under developed economy 3) less pressure on services
Impact on
destination location Positive Negative 1) skilled labour boost to local
economy 1) Unskilled labour badly affect economy 2) tax revenues increase 2) stress on public services- education, health, transport etc. 3) if existed population has declining trend, it will result into stable
or growing population after migration 3) overcrowding- slums- health issues 4) cultural diversity growth 4) environment degradation- encroachment- pollution levels are higher 5) racial tension, discrimination 6) gender imbalance- sex ratio, population density, age structure
disturbed
