6.2.2. Processes of Population Change/Growth

Population is a dynamic phenomenon. The numbers, distribution, and composition of the population are constantly changing. This is the influence of the interaction of the three processes, namely — births, deaths and migrations.

Population growth refers to the change of the number of inhabitants over time. It is influenced by three main factors: births (how many people are born), deaths (how many people die), and migrations (movement of people into or out of an area). These three processes interact with each other to change the total population.

Think of a garden. The number of flowers (population) increases when new seeds (births) are planted, decreases when flowers wilt (deaths), and changes when some flowers are moved to another garden (migration). The overall beauty and variety of flowers in your garden depend on these factors.

Population Growth refers to the change in the number of inhabitants of a country/territory during a specific period of time, say during the last 10 years. Such a change can be expressed in two ways: in terms of absolute numbers and in terms of percentage change per year.

Population growth can be measured in two ways: absolute numbers, which tells us how many people were added, and percentage change, which shows how fast the population is growing compared to its size in the previous period. For example, if a town had 100 people last year and now has 110, the absolute increase is 10 people, and the percentage growth is 10%.

Imagine a group of friends. If you started with 10 friends and then added 2 more, the absolute increase is 2 friends. If you think about it in percentages, you grew by 20%, which can feel more significant when explaining to others how your friend circle is expanding.

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.

The birth rate and death rate are crucial for understanding population growth. The birth rate indicates how many live births occur in a year per 1000 people. When the birth rate is higher than the death rate (the number of deaths per 1000 people), it results in a net increase in population. For instance, if a community has a birth rate of 30 and a death rate of 10, the population will increase over time.

Consider a bank account where you make deposits (births) and withdrawals (deaths). If you deposit more money than you withdraw, your account balance (population) will grow. Conversely, if you withdraw more than you deposit, your balance will drop.

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 can greatly affect population distribution within a country. Internal migration happens when people move from one area to another within the same country, which does not change the total population but redistributes it. For example, people moving from rural areas to cities for jobs will increase urban populations while decreasing rural populations. This movement can shift resources, education, and job opportunities.

Imagine pouring water from one glass (rural areas) into another glass (urban areas). The total amount of water remains the same, but the level in each glass changes depending on how much water you poured. This is similar to how migration redistributes the population across different areas.

The most significant feature of the Indian population is the size of its adolescent population. It constitutes one-fifth of the total population of India. Adolescents are generally grouped in the age group of 10 to 19 years. They are the most important resource for the future.

Adolescents make up a substantial portion of India's population. This age group is vital because they represent potential future contributors to society, the economy, and culture. Proper care, education, and nutrition during this phase can greatly influence their future, as they are transitioning into adulthood and will become the workforce or leaders of tomorrow.

Think of a tree. The adolescent population is like the young branches that will grow into strong limbs and leaves. If properly nurtured—through education and nutrition—they will ultimately contribute to the strength and shade of the tree (the society) as it grows over time.

Recognising that planning families would improve individual health and welfare, the Government of India initiated a comprehensive Family Planning Programme in 1952. The National Population Policy (NPP) 2000 is a culmination of years of planned efforts.

The National Population Policy aims to improve individual health and welfare through family planning and education. It includes initiatives like providing free education, reducing infant mortality, and promoting health measures to ensure a balanced population growth. These efforts are significant in preparing a healthy and educated workforce for the future.

Consider a well-maintained garden. Just as a gardener plans the number of plants based on the available space and resources, the National Population Policy seeks to balance the population with available resources and health care systems to ensure the well-being of society.

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