Characteristics of Indian Population

Characteristics of the Indian Population 

Age Composition

• The age composition of a population refers to the number of people in different age groups in a country.
• It is one of the most basic features of a population. A person's age has a significant impact on what she or he requires, purchases, does, and her or his ability to perform. As a result, the number and percentage of a population found in the children, working age, and elderly groups are significant determinants of social and economic structure of the population. 

• The population of a nation is, generally, grouped into three broad categories:
  a. Children (generally below 15 years)
  They are economically unproductive and need to be provided with food, clothing, education and medical care.
  b. Working Age (15–59 years)
  They are economically productive and biologically reproductive. They comprise the working population.
  c. Aged (Above 59 years)
  They can be economically productive though they may have retired. They may be working voluntarily but they are not available for employment through recruitment.
• The dependency ratio is determined by the percentage of children and the aged groups who are not producers. 

Sex Ratio

• Sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the population.
• This data is an important social indicator for measuring the degree of equality between males and females in a society at any given time. The sex ratio in the country has always remained unfavourable to females.

• The proportion of the population that is economically active is an important indicator of progress. The distribution of the population according to different types of occupation is referred to as the occupational structure. 
• Every country has an enormous variety of occupations. Occupations are, generally, classified as primary, secondary and tertiary.
• Agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, fishing, mining and quarrying, and other primary activities are examples. Secondary activities include manufacturing, building and construction, and so on. Transportation, communications, commerce, administration, and other services are examples of tertiary activities.
• In developed and developing countries, the proportion of people engaged in various activities varies. Secondary and tertiary activities are widely available in developed countries. Primary activities engages a higher proportion of the workforce in developing countries.
• In India, agriculture involves roughly 64% of the population. The proportion of the population dependent on secondary and tertiary sectors is approximately 13% and 20%, respectively. Because of recent industrialisation and urbanisation, there has been an occupational shift in favour of secondary and tertiary sectors.

Health 

• Health is an important component of population composition that influences the development process. The sustained efforts of government programmes have recorded significant improvements in the health conditions of the Indian population. Death rates have decreased from 25 per 1000 population in 1951 to 7.2 per 1000 in 2011, while life expectancy at birth has increased from 36.7 years in 1951 to 67.9 years in 2012.
• Many factors have contributed to the considerable improvement, including improvements in public health, the prevention of infectious diseases, and the use of modern medical practises in the diagnosis and treatment of ailments.
• In spite of significant achievements, India's health situation is a major point of concern. The per capita calorie consumption is much below the recommended levels, and a large proportion of our population is malnourished. Only one-third of the rural population has access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. These issues must be addressed through an appropriate population policy.

Adolescent Population

• The size of the Indian adolescent population is the most notable feature of the Indian population. It accounts for one-fifth of India's total population. Adolescents are generally classified as those aged 10 to 19 years. They are the most important future resource.
• Adolescents' nutritional needs are greater than those of a typical child or adult. Nutritional deficiencies and stunted growth can result from poor nutrition. However, in India, adolescents' diets are deficient in all nutrients.
• Anaemia affects a large number of adolescent girls. Their issues have received insufficient attention in the development process so far. Adolescent girls must be made aware of the issues they face. Literacy and education can help to raise their level of awareness.