POVERTY / HUNGER / FOOD SECURITY
POPULATION
Quotes
Real problem is not population explosion, but what the population is doing. - Radhanath Swami
You cannot control your own population by force, but it can be distracted by consumption. - Noam
Chomsky
Stage in India population growth
Phase I : The period from 1901-1921 is referred to as a period of stagnant or stationary phase of growth of
India’s population, since in this period growth rate was very low, even recording a negative growth rate
during 1911-1921. Both the birth rate and death rate were high keeping the rate of increase low (Appendix–
iii). Poor health and medical services, illiteracy of people at large and inefficient distribution system of food
and other basic necessities were largely responsible for a high birth and death rates in this period.
Phase II : The decades 1921-1951 are referred to as the period of steady population growth. An overall
improvement in health and sanitation throughout the country brought down the mortality rate. At the same
time better transport and communication system improved distribution system. The crude birth rate remained
high in this period leading to higher growth rate than the previous phase. This is impressive at the backdrop
of Great Economic Depression, 1920s and World War II.
Phase III : The decades 1951-1981 are referred to as the period of population explosion in India, which was
caused by a rapid fall in the mortality rate but a high fertility rate of population in the country. The average
annual growth rate was as high as 2.2 per cent. It is in this period, after the Independence, that developmental
activities were introduced through a centralised planning process and economy started showing up ensuring
the improvement of living condition of people at large. Consequently, there was a high natural increase and
higher growth rate. Besides, increased international migration bringing in Tibetans, Bangladeshis, Nepalies
and even people from Pakistan contributed to the high growth rate.
PHSAE IV : In the post 1981 till present, the growth rate of country’s population though remained high, has
started slowing down gradually (Table 1.1). A downward trend of crude birth rate is held responsible for
such a population growth. This was, in turn, affected by an increase in the mean age at marriage, improved
quality of life particularly education of females in the country.
, Consequences of Over-population in India
Overpopulation is one of the hazards & serious problem, which creates a great obstacle in the way of
national development. It has direct effect upon the society and development of nation. The overpopulation
creates or results into some problem which can be stated as
The consequences of overpopulation are as follows:
1) Pressure on food, clothing & housing: A country with fast growing population has to face a serious
problem of scarcity of necessary food, minimum clothing & proper housing facilities, which are basic needs
of human life. Thus, it affects the life style and results slum areas, starvation etc.
2) Unemployment: The overpopulation aggravates the unemployment & disguised unemployment problem.
The vacancy rate is negligible as compared to wants of employment, which ultimately results into low
income groups and large families depending upon single earning person (earner).
3) Standard of living: The overpopulation creates or gives rise to large families with low income reducing
the standard of persons living therein. The slum areas, starvation and frequently epidemics are the results
affecting health and standard of persons within such nation.
4) Decrease of forest area: The basic made of the growing population is of residence and shelter. To
construct houses and place of shelter, man is greatly cutting and reducing forest to make a place to live.
5) Environmental pollution: Over population affects environment by exhausting a large proportion of waste.
On the other hand reducing forests which results in the growth of pollution.
6) Education: The low income of large family does not afford to provide education to their children which
results into creating a problem of illiteracy and again non-awareness among the class.
7) Energy crisis: Population explosion accompanied with rapid industrialization and urbanization has led to
greater demand for already deficient energy (fuel wood, fossil fuel and electricity).
8) Hygienic condition: More people in a small area breed unhygienic condition which has ill effects on
human health.
9) Eco-degradation: Overpopulation leads to eco-degradation by increasing air, water, soil and noise
pollution, unhygienic condition, deforestation leading to flood and soil erosion. So, rapid human population
growth is creating increased pressure on the infrastructure, economy, environment, availability of primary
health care and nutrition.
POPULATION
Quotes
Real problem is not population explosion, but what the population is doing. - Radhanath Swami
You cannot control your own population by force, but it can be distracted by consumption. - Noam
Chomsky
Stage in India population growth
Phase I : The period from 1901-1921 is referred to as a period of stagnant or stationary phase of growth of
India’s population, since in this period growth rate was very low, even recording a negative growth rate
during 1911-1921. Both the birth rate and death rate were high keeping the rate of increase low (Appendix–
iii). Poor health and medical services, illiteracy of people at large and inefficient distribution system of food
and other basic necessities were largely responsible for a high birth and death rates in this period.
Phase II : The decades 1921-1951 are referred to as the period of steady population growth. An overall
improvement in health and sanitation throughout the country brought down the mortality rate. At the same
time better transport and communication system improved distribution system. The crude birth rate remained
high in this period leading to higher growth rate than the previous phase. This is impressive at the backdrop
of Great Economic Depression, 1920s and World War II.
Phase III : The decades 1951-1981 are referred to as the period of population explosion in India, which was
caused by a rapid fall in the mortality rate but a high fertility rate of population in the country. The average
annual growth rate was as high as 2.2 per cent. It is in this period, after the Independence, that developmental
activities were introduced through a centralised planning process and economy started showing up ensuring
the improvement of living condition of people at large. Consequently, there was a high natural increase and
higher growth rate. Besides, increased international migration bringing in Tibetans, Bangladeshis, Nepalies
and even people from Pakistan contributed to the high growth rate.
PHSAE IV : In the post 1981 till present, the growth rate of country’s population though remained high, has
started slowing down gradually (Table 1.1). A downward trend of crude birth rate is held responsible for
such a population growth. This was, in turn, affected by an increase in the mean age at marriage, improved
quality of life particularly education of females in the country.
, Consequences of Over-population in India
Overpopulation is one of the hazards & serious problem, which creates a great obstacle in the way of
national development. It has direct effect upon the society and development of nation. The overpopulation
creates or results into some problem which can be stated as
The consequences of overpopulation are as follows:
1) Pressure on food, clothing & housing: A country with fast growing population has to face a serious
problem of scarcity of necessary food, minimum clothing & proper housing facilities, which are basic needs
of human life. Thus, it affects the life style and results slum areas, starvation etc.
2) Unemployment: The overpopulation aggravates the unemployment & disguised unemployment problem.
The vacancy rate is negligible as compared to wants of employment, which ultimately results into low
income groups and large families depending upon single earning person (earner).
3) Standard of living: The overpopulation creates or gives rise to large families with low income reducing
the standard of persons living therein. The slum areas, starvation and frequently epidemics are the results
affecting health and standard of persons within such nation.
4) Decrease of forest area: The basic made of the growing population is of residence and shelter. To
construct houses and place of shelter, man is greatly cutting and reducing forest to make a place to live.
5) Environmental pollution: Over population affects environment by exhausting a large proportion of waste.
On the other hand reducing forests which results in the growth of pollution.
6) Education: The low income of large family does not afford to provide education to their children which
results into creating a problem of illiteracy and again non-awareness among the class.
7) Energy crisis: Population explosion accompanied with rapid industrialization and urbanization has led to
greater demand for already deficient energy (fuel wood, fossil fuel and electricity).
8) Hygienic condition: More people in a small area breed unhygienic condition which has ill effects on
human health.
9) Eco-degradation: Overpopulation leads to eco-degradation by increasing air, water, soil and noise
pollution, unhygienic condition, deforestation leading to flood and soil erosion. So, rapid human population
growth is creating increased pressure on the infrastructure, economy, environment, availability of primary
health care and nutrition.
