ASSIGNMENT:-POPULATION

CLASS:-S1
1. Why is it important to know about the population of a country ? Give three reasons.
[Link] people are important to develop the economy and society. The people make and use resources
and are themselves resources with varying quality. Coal is but a piece of rock, until people were able to
invent technology to obtain it and make it a .resource..
[Link] is the pivotal element in social studies. It is the point of reference from which all other
elements are observed and from which they derive significance and meaning. Resources., calamities.
and disasters are all meaningful only in relation to human beings
[Link] beings are producers and consumers of earth’s resources. Therefore, it is important to know
how many people are there in a country, where do they live, how and why their numbers are
increasing and what are their characteristics.

2. Which are the three components of population study?

(i) Population size and distribution: How many people are there and where do they live?
(ii) Population growth and processes of population change: How has the population grown and
changed through time?
(iii) Characteristics or qualities of the population: What is their age, sex composition,
literacy levels, occupational structure and health conditions

3. What is census? When was the first census held in India? Which type of information can we get
through census?
A census is an official enumeration of population done periodically. In India the first census was held in
the year 1872. The first complete census, however was taken in the year 1881. Since then, censuses
have been held regularly every tenth year.
The Indian Census is the most comprehensive source of demographic, social and economic data.

4. What does the population census of 2011 reveal about India’s population size and distribution? /
Describe the size & distribution of population of India in five points.
[Link]’s population as on March 2011 stood at 1,210 million, which account for 17.5 per cent
of the world’s population.
[Link] with a population size of 199 million people is the most populous state of India. Uttar
Pradesh accounts for about 16.5 per cent of the country’s population.
[Link] the other hand, the Himalayan state Sikkim has a population of just about 0.6 million and
Lakshadweep has only 64 429 people.
[Link] half of India’s population lives in just five states. These are Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar,
West Bengal, and karnataka.
[Link], the biggest state in terms of area, has only 6 per cent of the total population of India
[Link] vary from 1102 persons per sq km in Bihar to only 17 persons per sq km in
Arunachal Pradesh.

5. Describe the three population density zones of India.

[Link] density of population in the Northern Plains. - flat plains with fertile soils and abundant rainfall.

[Link] density in peninsular plateau and Assam-Hilly, dissected and rocky nature of the terrain,
moderate to low rainfall, shallow and less fertile soils have influenced population densities in these
areas.
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 iii low density in :-J&K,H.P and Uttarakhand-Rugged terrain and unfavorable climatic conditions
North-eastern states. –Rugged terrain and unfavorable climatic conditions-heavy rainfall,
dense forests
Rajasthan-desert, hot and dry climate, seasonal rivers, scanty rain, infertile soil

6. Give reasons for:

[Link] density of population in the Northern Plains.- flat plains with fertile soils and abundant rainfall.

[Link] density in peninsular plateau and Assam-Hilly, dissected and rocky nature of the terrain,
moderate to low rainfall, shallow and less fertile soils have influenced population densities in these
areas.
iii low density in :-J&K,H.P and Uttrakhand-Rugged terrain and unfavourable climatic conditions
North-eastern states. –Rugged terrain and unfavourable climatic conditions-heavy
rainfall,dense forests.

7. What is population density? Name two countries which have population density higher than
[Link] book

8. Name the state with the highest and lowest density of population./ Which state of India has the
lowest density of population ? Why this state has the lowest density of population ? Explain any two
reasons. Do it yourself

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9. What is meant by population growth? Explain the two ways by which it is expressed? / Distinguish
between “absolute numbers and the annual growth rate” with reference to population growth.
Growth of population refers to the change in the number of inhabitants of a country/territory
during a specific period of time, say during the last ten years.
Such a change can be expressed in two ways: in terms of absolute numbers and in terms of percentage
change per year.
The absolute numbers added each year or decade is the magnitude of increase. It is obtained by
simply subtracting the earlier population (e.g. that of2001) from the later population (e.g. that of
2011). It is referred to as the absolute increase.
The rate or the pace of population increase is the other important aspect. It 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.

10. Explain the term: Annual growth rate of population. How is it affected by birth rate and death rate?
Give suitable examples.
The rate or the pace of population increase is the other important aspect. It 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.
• From 1901-1951 India experienced low population growth rate because of high birth rate and
high death rate.
REASONS FOR HIGH B.R-
Traditional Values and Cultural Norms: India has a long history of traditional values that emphasize
the importance of large families. Sons were particularly valued for various reasons, including carrying
on the family name, providing security in old age, and performing religious rites for deceased
ancestors.
Economic Factors: In agrarian societies like India before 1951, children were seen as a source of labor
to work in the fields or support the family's economic activities. More children meant more hands to
work and contribute to the family income.
High Infant Mortality Rate: Before advances in modern medicine and healthcare, infant mortality rates
were high. Families often had more children to ensure that at least some would survive into adulthood
and provide support to the family.
Lack of Access to Contraception: Contraceptive methods were not widely available or accessible
before 1951. Lack of awareness, social stigma, and religious beliefs also contributed to low usage of
contraception.
Religious and Social Beliefs: Religious beliefs, such as the idea that children are a gift from God, and
social norms that encouraged early marriage and large families, influenced the high birth rate.
Status of Women: Women in traditional Indian society had limited educational and economic
opportunities. Early marriage and early childbearing were common, leading to higher fertility rates.
Lack of Family Planning Programs: Before 1951, there were limited government initiatives or programs
aimed at promoting family planning or controlling population growth.

• From 1951 to 1981, the annual rate of population growth was steadily increasing; which
explains the rapid increase in population from 361 million in 1951 to 1210 million in 2011.
Till 1980, high birth rates and declining death rates led to a large difference between birth rates
and death rates resulting in higher rates of population growth because
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 D.R fell down faster because of assured food supply, improvement in health facilities
vaccination, proper sanitation conditions.
But B.R remained high because of illiteracy, lack of awareness to control unwanted
pregnancies, poverty, more children more working hands, preference for a male child.
• Since 1981, birth rates have also started declining gradually, resulting in a gradual decline in the
rate of population [Link] is a positive indicator of birth control efforts introduced by the
government i.e ways to avoid unwanted pregnancies, spread of awareness, literacy economic
development so that people make conscious decisions to have small families.
The decline in birth rates in India since 1981 can be attributed to several factors:
Government Policies and Family Planning Programs: Since the early 1980s, the Indian government has
implemented various family planning programs aimed at promoting contraception, reproductive health, and
population control. These programs have increased awareness about family planning methods and provided
access to contraceptives, leading to a decline in birth rates.
Improved Healthcare and Infant Mortality Reduction: Advances in healthcare, including better access to
medical facilities, immunizations, and improved maternal and child health services, have contributed to a
reduction in infant mortality rates. When parents are more confident in the survival of their children, they may
choose to have fewer offspring.
Urbanization and Changing Lifestyles: Urbanization has led to changes in lifestyle and attitudes towards
family size. Urban areas typically have higher educational attainment, better access to family planning
services, and a greater emphasis on career and personal goals, which can result in smaller family sizes.
Education and Empowerment of Women: Increased access to education, especially for women, has
empowered them to make informed decisions about their reproductive health. Educated women tend to
marry later, have fewer children, and have more control over their reproductive choices.
Economic Factors: Economic development and improvements in living standards have also influenced birth
rates. As families become more economically stable, they may choose to have fewer children to invest more
resources in their education and upbringing.
Social and Cultural Changes: Changing social norms, such as a shift towards smaller families being seen as
desirable or aspirational, have influenced birth rate trends. Media, urbanization, and exposure to global trends
have also played a role in shaping attitudes towards family size.
Access to Family Planning Services: Increased availability and accessibility of family planning services,
including contraceptives and reproductive healthcare, have allowed individuals and couples to plan their
families according to their desired family size and spacing between children.

[Link] was/is the trend of population growth rate:-give reasons for variations also. Refer ans 10
i. before 1951
ii. between 1951-1981
iii. after 1981.
OR

Which three decades in India have witnessed rapid growth of population? Why? Give three reasons.
OR explain the main reasons for rapid increase in India’s population since independence./ .Describe
any three factors responsible for population growth in India. Refer ans 10
OR
Why rate of growth of population is gradually declining since 1981? Explain three reasons.
Refer ans 10

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[Link] three main processes of population change? OR Which three processes change the
population size of a country./ Explain the process of population change ?
There are three main processes of change of population: birth rates, death rates and migration.
The natural increase of population is the difference between birth rates and death rates.
• Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. It is a major component of
growth because in India, birth rates have always been higher than death rates.
• Death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year. The main cause of the rate of
growth of the Indian population has been the rapid decline in death rates.
Till 1980, high birth rates and declining death rates led to a large difference between birth rates
and death rates resulting in higher rates of population growth. Since 1981, birth rates have also started
declining gradually, resulting in a gradual decline in the rate of population growth.
• The third component of population growth is migration. Migration is the movement of people across
regions and territories. Migration can be internal (within the country) or
international (between the countries). Internal migration does not change the size of the population,
but influences the distribution of population within the nation. migration plays an important role in
changing the distribution and composition of population.

11. What is migration? Name four patterns of internal migration observed in India. How does it
influences the population size? / What is migration? Mention two main types of migration and
explain them.
Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories.
Migration can be internal (within the country) or international (between the countries).
Migration can be internal- rural to rural, rural to urban, urban to urban, urban to rural. Internal
migration does not change the size of the population, but influences the distribution of population
within the nation. migration plays an important role in changing the distribution and composition of
population.
Migration is an important determinant of population change. It changes not only the population size
but also the population composition of urban and rural populations in terms of age and sex
composition.

12. Why most of the migration in India is from rural to urban areas? Explain with reference to the push
and pull factors.
In India, most migrations have been from rural to urban areas because of the “push”
factor in rural areas. These are adverse conditions of poverty and unemployment in the rural areas
and the “pull” of the city in terms of increased employment opportunities and better living conditions.

13. How migration is an important determinant of population change. Explain giving suitable facts./ How
does migration play a significant role in changing the composition and distribution of the population
? Explain.
Migration is an important determinant of population change. It changes not only the population size
but also 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 urban population has increased from 17.29 per cent of the total
population in 1951 to 31.80 per cent in 2011. There has been a significant increase in the number of
‘million plus cities’ from 35 to 53 in just one decade, i.e., 2001 to 2011.

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 14. State five objectives of National Population Policy 2000 of India.

The NPP 2000 provides a policy framework:-

• for imparting free and compulsory school education up to 14 years of age,
• reducing infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births,
• achieving universal immunisation of children against all vaccine preventable diseases,
• promoting delayed marriage for girls,
• and making family welfare a people-centered programme.