POPULATION PROBLEM
Introduction
India's population problem has been a significant challenge for decades, deeply influencing its socio-
economic landscape. With over 1.4 billion people, India is the world's most populous country, and the
rapid population growth exerts immense pressure on the nation's resources, infrastructure, and services.
This burgeoning population has led to issues such as unemployment, poverty, inadequate healthcare, and
strained education systems. Furthermore, overpopulation exacerbates environmental degradation,
contributing to deforestation, water scarcity, and pollution. Managing this complex population dynamic
requires addressing key factors such as fertility rates, family planning, and economic opportunities to
ensure sustainable growth and development for future generations.
Population Trends in India
India, with its vast and diverse population, has witnessed significant changes in population dynamics over
the decades. Understanding the trends in population growth and its associated factors is crucial for
addressing the social, economic, and environmental challenges that accompany it. The following detailed
examination explores the historical background, key factors influencing population trends, current trends,
regional variations, and future projections.
1. Historical Background of Population Growth in India
India’s population trends have undergone significant shifts since the colonial era. The British period was
marked by high birth rates and death rates, with frequent famines, epidemics, and poor healthcare
contributing to a relatively stagnant population growth.
However, after gaining independence in 1947, the nation saw a marked increase in population. This rapid
growth was fueled by several factors, including improved healthcare, the elimination of famines, the
development of sanitation infrastructure, and a reduction in mortality rates.
2. Key Milestones in Population Growth:
• 1901: India’s population was around 238 million.
• 1951 (First Census Post-Independence): The population reached 361 million, marking a
significant increase.
• 1971: Population crossed the 500 million mark.
• 2001: Population reached over 1 billion.
• 2023: India surpassed China as the world's most populous country with over 1.4 billion
people.
3. Factors Influencing Population Growth in India
Several factors contribute to the population trends in India, including socio-economic, cultural, and
political elements. The interplay of these factors continues to shape population dynamics.
I. Fertility Rates:
Fertility rates have traditionally been high in India, particularly in rural areas where having large families
was considered advantageous for agricultural work and economic security. However, fertility rates have
been declining steadily due to increased access to family planning, education, and urbanization.
• 1950s-1960s: Fertility rate was above 6 children per woman.
• 2020s: Fertility rate has dropped to 2.0 children per woman.
II. Mortality Rates:
Improvements in healthcare and living standards, especially post-independence, have drastically reduced
mortality rates, particularly infant and maternal mortality rates.
• Infant Mortality Rate: Reduced from 146 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1951 to around 28
per 1,000 in 2022.
• Life Expectancy: Increased from 32 years in 1947 to 70 years in 2023.
III. Migration and Urbanization:
Internal migration, especially rural-to-urban migration, has been a key feature of India’s demographic
trends. The rapid pace of urbanization has led to the growth of mega cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and
Bengaluru, while rural areas have seen slower population growth or even stagnation in some regions.
IV. Government Policies and Programs:
India was the first country to introduce a national family planning program in 1952. Successive
governments have implemented policies aimed at reducing population growth through family welfare
schemes, promoting the use of contraceptives, and enhancing education and healthcare access,
particularly for women.
4. Current Population Trends
As of 2023, India's population is over 1.4 billion, and current trends show that the growth rate is gradually
slowing. Despite this deceleration, the population continues to expand, with significant regional
disparities.
I. Growth Rate:
The annual population growth rate has declined from a high of 2.3% in the 1970s to around 0.8% in 2023.
The slowdown is largely attributed to declining fertility rates and increased awareness of family planning.
II. Age Structure:
India has a young population, with nearly 28% of its people under the age of 14, and around 65% between
15 and 64 years old. This demographic trend, referred to as the "demographic dividend," provides a
potential for economic growth, provided there is adequate investment in education, healthcare, and
employment opportunities.
III. Gender Ratio:
The gender ratio in India has been skewed in favor of males, largely due to cultural factors that prefer
male children and the issue of female infanticide. However, recent efforts to address gender disparity
have resulted in slow but steady improvement. The sex ratio in 2023 was around 1,020 females per 1,000
males.
Population Control Measures
National Population Policy (NPP)
Population policy refers to all those legal, administrative programs and other government efforts which
aim at reducing birth rate and improving the quality of life. After independence, the Government of India
adopted a national policy on population with the objective to check the increase in birth rate and improve
the standard of living of people. This policy has been revised from time to time and its scope has been
widened. It has been very effective in initiating measures for population control. The main population
policies adopted by our government are discussed below:
1. Population Policy of 1976
The Government of India declared the first comprehensive population policy on 16 April, 1976.
The main aim of this policy was to bring down birth rate from 35 per thousand to 25 per thousand. In this
policy, state governments were allowed to enact legislative measures regarding compulsory sterilization.
Indians were against compulsory sterilization, but this policy created awareness about small family norm.
2. Revised Population Policy of 1977
In 1977, government revised the earlier policy of year 1976. In this revised population policy, government
changed the name of Family Planning Policy as Family Welfare Policy. In this policy, it was decided that
family planning programme would be implemented on voluntary basis. The main features of the revised
National Population Policy were as follows:
(i) No coercion was to be used for family planning. The public will be motivated and induced to undertake
various measures of birth control.
(Di) The minimum age of marriage was raised to 18 years for females and 21 years for males.
(iii) Registration of marriages was suggested to be made compulsory.
(iv) Use of media for spreading the message of family planning among the rural masses.
(v) Provision of monetary compensation to those who go in for permanent measures of birth control such
as sterilization.
3. New National Population Policy of 2000 and Onwards
The Government of India announced its New National Population Policy on February 15, 2000.
The National Population Policy (NPP) affirms the commitment of government towards voluntary consent
of citizens while availing of reproductive health care services. The New National Population Policy (NPP)
provides a policy framework to meet the reproductive and child health needs of the people of India for
the next ten years.
Targets of New Population Policy
i. To achieve zero growth rate of population by 2045.
ii. To reduce infant mortality rate to below 30 per thousand live births by 2010 and below 28 per
thousand live births by 2012.
iii. To reduce maternal mortality rate to below 1 per 1000 by 2010.
iv. To reduce birth rate to 21 per thousand by 2010
v. To reduce total fertility rate (average number of children a woman bears over her lifetime) to
replacement level at 2.1 by 2010
vi. To raise the percentage of institutional deliveries (in hospitals) to 80 per cent by 2010.
Main Features of New Population Policy
1. Voluntary Policy
The population policy of the Government of India is voluntary and aims at achieving population control
through the co-operation of the people. It tries to educate the people about the benefits of a small family
and encourages them to reduce the birth rate.
2. Wider Scope
The scope of the population policy is quite wide. Apart from methods of population control, it also covers
area like health of the family, welfare of the mothers, health of the children, etc. In fact, it has become a
programme for family welfare instead of family planning.
3. Reduction in Birth Rate
Death rate in the country has come down a lot and hence the only way in which the population can be
controlled is to bring down the birth rate. Many direct and indirect measures are being adopted in order
to achieve this objective. The indirect measures include poverty eradication programme, increased spread
of education among women, increase in the percentage of literate population, etc. The minimum age for
marriage has also been increased.
4. Different Methods
Many different methods have been adopted to bring down the birth rate. Some of these methods are
sterilization, use of condoms, loops, birth control pills, etc. Appropriate arrangements have been made in
family planning centers in order to advise people in this regard
5. Propaganda
Family planning is being publicized on a very large-scale in India. Contraceptives are being distributed
among the people free of cost or at very low rates. Family planning is advertised through the television,
radio, magazines, newspapers and books. Doctors and nurses are also being given special training in family
planning methods.
6. Freezing Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Seats
In India number of seats of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are freezed as per population of 1971 census.
Earlier this freeze was up to the year 2001. As part of national population policy strategy, government
extended the freeze up to year 2026 as a motivational measure to state governments to pursue the
agenda of population stabilization. The number of seats were freezed up to the year 2026 so that the
states which effectively implement population policy do not get any disincentive by losing their seats to
such states where population growth rate is high.
7. Setting up National Commission on Population
National Commission on Population was set up in year 2000. This commission works under the
chairmanship of Prime Minister. Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare acts as vice chairman of this
commission. The chief ministers of states where population growth rate is high, NGOs, population
economists (Demography experts), policy-makers, etc., are the members of this commission. This
commission was formed to review, monitor and to give directions for the effective implementation of
National Population Policy. This commission also works to coordinate the efforts of central government
and various state governments for effective implementation c national population policy.
8. Improving Contraceptive Supply Management
Government provides free contraceptives through government run health centers, sub-health centers,
dispensaries, hospitals, etc. Government also provides home delivery of contraceptives through
Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) in states where population growth rate is very high.
Conclusion
India's population problem is a multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive and sustained
approach. While the country has made significant strides in controlling its population growth through
family planning initiatives, improved healthcare, and education, much remains to be done. The
government's policies, such as the National Population Policy and various population control measures,
play a vital role in managing this issue. However, achieving sustainable population growth requires not
only continued policy efforts but also active public participation, socio-economic reforms, and a focus on
improving the quality of life across all regions. Addressing these challenges is essential for India’s long-
term economic stability, social harmony, and environmental sustainability.
