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Class 12 Geography Chapter 1: Population : Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition Notes

Population geography is a crucial aspect of human geography that examines the distribution, density, growth, and composition of people across different regions. This chapter explores the factors influencing population distribution, variations in population density, trends in population growth, and the demographic composition of societies. Understanding these concepts is essential for planning resource allocation, infrastructure development, and policy-making at local, national, and global levels.



Why Study Population?

Population is the foundation of a nation’s economy. It influences:


  • Resource utilization (food, water, energy).
  • Economic development (workforce, productivity).
  • Urbanization and migration patterns.
  • Social and cultural diversity.

India’s Population: Key Facts (2021 Estimates)
  • Total Population: ~1.4 billion (2nd largest after China)
  • Share of World Population: ~17.7%
  • Annual Growth Rate: ~0.9%
  • Projected to Overtake China by 2027


Population Distribution in India


What is Population Distribution?
  • Population distribution refers to how people are spread across different regions of India.
  • Uneven Distribution: Some states are highly populated, while others have sparse populations.

Regional Variations
  1. Highly Populated States:
    • Uttar Pradesh (~230 million) → Most populated state.
    • Maharashtra (~125 million), Bihar (~130 million).
    • West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu also have high populations.
  2. Sparsely Populated Areas:
    • Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram → Due to hilly terrain.
    • Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir → Harsh climate and mountainous landscape.


Factors Affecting Population Distribution
Factors Impact on Population Example
Climate Extreme climates discourage settlement Thar Desert (Rajasthan)
Topography Plains attract people; mountains discourage settlement Ganga Plain (U.P., Bihar)
Soil Fertility Fertile areas attract farming populations Punjab, West Bengal
Water Availability More population near rivers & coasts Sundarbans, Kerala Coast
Industries & Jobs Urban areas have more people Mumbai, Delhi


Population Density in India


What is Population Density?
  • It refers to the number of people per square kilometer.
  • Population Density = (Total Population) / (Total Land Area(sq km))
  • India’s Average Density: 382 persons per sq. km (2011 Census) (Higher than global average).

High and Low-Density Regions
Category Regions Density (persons/km²)
High-Density States Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh 800+
Moderate Density Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka 300-600
Low-Density States Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh <50


Trends of Population Growth in India


What is Population Growth?

Population growth refers to the increase or decrease in the number of people over time.


Trends in India’s Population Growth
  • 1901-1921 (Stagnant Growth): High birth and death rates, low growth.
  • 1921-1951 (Slow Growth): Improved medical facilities, but still high death rates.
  • 1951-1981 (Rapid Growth): Population explosion due to better healthcare and agriculture.
  • 1981-Present (Controlled Growth): Declining birth rates due to family planning programs.

Current Growth Rate (2021-22 Estimates)
  • Annual Growth Rate: ~0.9%.
  • Birth Rate: ~17.4 per 1000 people.
  • Death Rate: ~7.3 per 1000 people.
  • Fertility Rate: 2.0 children per woman (approaching replacement level).


Demographic Transition in India


What is Demographic Transition?

It is a theory that explains population growth in three stages:


Stage Birth Rate Death Rate Population Growth Example
Stage 1 (Pre-Industrial) High High Low Growth Ancient India
Stage 2 (Developing Society) High Declining Rapid Growth India (1950s-1990s)
Stage 3 (Modern Society) Declining Low Slow Growth India (Present & Future)


Population Composition in India

Population composition includes age, sex ratio, rural-urban structure, language, religion, and occupations.


1. Rural-Urban Composition
  • Rural Population (~65%): Dependent on agriculture.
  • Urban Population (~35%): Involved in industries and services.
  • Fast Urbanization: Cities are growing due to migration.

2. Sex Ratio (Number of Females per 1000 Males)
  • India’s Sex Ratio (2021 Estimates): 948 females per 1000 males.
  • State-wise Variation:
    • Kerala (Best): 1084 females per 1000 males.
    • Haryana (Worst): 914 females per 1000 males.
  • Causes of Low Sex Ratio:
    • Preference for male children.
    • Female foeticide & infanticide.
    • Poor healthcare for women.

3. Linguistic Composition
  • India has 22 official languages (Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, etc.).
  • Most Spoken Language: Hindi (spoken by ~44% of Indians).
  • Language Diversity: Each state has a dominant regional language.

4. Religious Composition
  • Major Religions in India (2021 Estimates):
    • Hinduism (~79.8%).
    • Islam (~14.2%).
    • Christianity (~2.3%).
    • Sikhism (~1.7%).
    • Buddhism, Jainism, Others (~2%).
  • Religious Harmony: India is secular, with diverse religious communities.

5. Occupational Structure (Employment Patterns)
  • Primary Sector (~42%): Agriculture, fishing, forestry.
  • Secondary Sector (~25%): Industry, manufacturing.
  • Tertiary Sector (~33%): Services, banking, IT.
  • Shift from Agriculture to Services: More people are working in urban jobs.


Conclusion

  • India has the second-largest population (~1.4 billion), with uneven distribution across states.
  • Population density is highest in fertile plains and lowest in mountainous regions.
  • Population growth is slowing due to lower fertility rates.
  • India is in the third stage of demographic transition, moving towards population stabilization.
  • The population is diverse in terms of rural-urban divide, language, religion, and occupations.

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