The UN predicts that by 2030, India’s population will hit 1.46 billion, making up 17% of the world’s population. India saw rapid population growth until the 1970s but has since experienced slower growth due to declining fertility rates.
India’s decreasing Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from 2.5 in 2009-11 to a projected 1.73 in 2031-35 will lead to significant demographic changes. This shift will result in a smaller percentage of children and a larger percentage of working-age individuals in the population.
Population Growth Trends in India
- Decline in Population Growth: The rate at which the population is growing has been slowing down since 1971-81 all across India. But during the 2011 census, there was a big drop in population growth in states called EAG states.
- Decline in India’s TFR: The Total Fertility Rate (TFR), which shows how many children on average a woman has, has gone down from 2.2 to 2.0 for the whole country between the last two National Family Health Surveys. Only five states in India have a TFR higher than the replacement level, which is 2.1 children per woman.
- Improvement in Mortality Indicators: Life expectancy at birth has improved a lot from 32 years in 1947 to 70 years in 2019. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which tells us how many babies die before their first birthday, is 32 per 1,000 live births according to the latest survey.
- Increase in Family Planning: More people are using contraception now. The Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR) has gone up from 54% to 67% for the whole country, except for Punjab.
- Improvement in Life Expectancy: A recent report by the United Nations Population Fund says that the average life expectancy for men in India is 71 and for women is 74. In more developed regions, life expectancy is higher.
Robust Demographic Dividend: India has a big advantage with its young population. About 68% of Indians are between 15 to 64 years old, which means they can work and help the economy grow. Compared to other countries, India has one of the youngest populations.
- Large Projected Population: India’s population is expected to exceed 1.5 billion by the end of this decade, with a peak of 1.7 billion in 2064. This growth has implications for the country’s age distribution and economic prospects.
- Leveraging Demographic Dividend: India’s demographic dividend, if properly utilized, can boost economic growth per person. This requires investments in health, education, and skills development, which the committee can support.
- Addressing Health, Education, and Employment Challenges: Healthcare spending remains low, and a significant portion of Indian youth may lack the necessary education and skills for employment by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened these issues, leading to learning setbacks.
- Importance of Evidence-Based Decision Making: Accurate data is vital for policy making, but India faces challenges in data availability and quality. The committee can offer better data collection methods and collaboration with stakeholders.
- Modernizing Data Infrastructure: Updating data infrastructure through digital technologies is crucial for accurate demographic data collection. Investments in data collection methods and security are essential for reliable population statistics.
- Achieving Inclusive and Sustainable Development: By focusing on health, education, employment, and statistical systems, India can achieve inclusive and sustainable development. Strategic planning and international collaboration are key to managing this transition effectively.
Formation of the Population Committee
Adopting a Multi-Sectoral Strategy:
- The committee should focus on various areas like family planning, healthcare, education, employment, and socio-economic development.
- Measures such as creating flexible education plans and bridging skill gaps are essential.
Interdisciplinary Approach to Population Management:
- The committee needs experts from different fields like health, economics, sociology, and governance.
- Research and data analysis are crucial for understanding issues and evaluating interventions.
Synergistic Efforts for Effective Implementation:
- Working together with government, NGOs, academia, and private sectors is vital for successful policy implementation.
Emphasis on Public Awareness and Education:
- Educating the public about responsible family planning and health practices is important.
- Awareness campaigns can empower communities with accurate information.
International Collaboration in Population Management:
- Learning from other countries’ experiences and collaborating with global organizations can strengthen India’s strategies.
Integrating India’s Evolving Demographic Landscape:
- Understanding changes in India’s population, like declining fertility rates, is necessary for future planning.
Quality Assurance Mechanisms for Data Reliability:
- Implementing validation processes ensures accurate population data.
Facilitating Data Accessibility to Researchers:
- Making population data accessible to researchers and policymakers through open data initiatives is crucial.
Conclusion
The government forming a special committee to handle population growth and changes in the population is a good step for making sure the country develops in a smart way. If you’re studying for the UPSC exam, it’s important to learn about all the different things needed to make the most of India’s growing population. This committee is great because it looks at lots of different aspects and uses facts to make decisions. It helps figure out how to make sure people stay healthy, get educated, and find good jobs. It’s not just about controlling how many people there are, but also about using the population to make the country better. For students, this shows how important it is to understand how governments work and how to make good rules that actually help people. It also shows that they need to learn a lot about the different parts of India’s population. This will help them talk about important things and make good rules when they become government workers. In the future, it’s going to be important to come up with new and fair ways to help everyone. This is something every future government worker needs to remember so they can help India grow and do well for everyone.