Population Growth

Population Growth 

• The 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.
• 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 10 years. Such a change can be expressed in two ways: in terms of absolute numbers and in terms of percentage change per year.
• The magnitude of the increase is measured by the absolute numbers added each year or decade. It is calculated by subtracting the earlier population (e.g., 2001) from the later population (e.g. that of 2011). It's known as the absolute increase.
• The rate or the pace of population increase is the other important aspect. It is studied in percent per annum, e.g. a rate of increase of 2 percent 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.
• The population of India has steadily increased from 361 million in 1951 to 1210 million in 2011.

• The annual rate of population growth increased steadily, explaining the rapid increase in population from 361 million in 1951 to 683 million in 1981.
• However, the rate of growth has gradually declined since 1981. Birth rates fell speedily during this time period. Still, in the 1990s alone, 182 million people were added to the total population (an annual addition larger than ever before).
• It is critical to realize that India has a sizable population. When a low annual rate is applied to a large population, it yields a large absolute increase. When more than a billion people are added, even if at a slower rate, the total number of people added becomes enormous. The annual population increase in India is large enough to negate efforts to conserve natural resources and the environment.
• The declining trend of the growth rate is in fact a positive indicator of birth control efforts. Despite this, total population additions continue to rise, and India may overtake China to become the world's most populous country by 2045.