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Unit 6: Demographic Features and Indicators of Development
Dilfraz Singh, Lovely Professional University

Unit 6: Demographic Features and Indicators of Development Notes

CONTENTS
Objective
Introduction
6.1 Demographic Features and Indicators of Development
6.2 Nature of the Population Problem in India
6.3 Summary
6.4 Key-Words
6.5 Review Questions
6.6 Further Readings

Objectives

After reading this Unit students will be able to:
• Explain about the demographic Features and Indicators of Development.
• Discuss the Nature of Population Problem in India.
Introduction

The growth in population explains the difference in the growth of national income and the per capita
income since human resources have a major role in generating aggregate flow of goods and services.
Thus, the demographic features and indicators of development are closely related. For instance, human
resources have a two-pronged relationship with economic growth. We see that as a resource, people
are available as factors of production to work in combination with other factors of production such as
land, capital and enterprise. Moreover, as consumers, human beings make demand on the national
product of the economy. In this way, the size of population is a significant determinant of economic
growth. It may be noted that a large population may not necessarily contribute to economic growth.
Thus, a large fast-rising population may find itself in a situation of over-population. We may discuss
whether economic growth alone constitutes economic development and see that it is not the case.
Therefore, we must know about economic development and the indicators of economic development.
6.1 Demographic Features and Indicators of Development

With the help of Indian census data, a concise demographic profile of the country can be prepared. In
1872, the country’s first all India Census was completed. Decennial censuses have been organised
then on in 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911, 1921, etc. The 14th census was completed in March, 2001. It may be
noted that the census in India is conducted under the Census Act, 1948, which makes it obligatory for
the public to provide all answers correctly and fully for a correct analysis.
Trends in Population Growth
However, India has got only 2.4% of the total land area of the world. Thus, India has been seriously
handicapped a large proportion of the world population is found jam-packed in a small area of the
country. Major trends of Indian population are given as under :
1. Since 1951, the upward trend in population growth rate was maintained which got reversed
during the decades 1981-2001.
2. The increase in population after the country’s independence was more rapid. Before that the
census of 1931 and the following census of 1941 recorded an increase of the magnitude of about

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