Analyze the tendency of distribution of population by development region. (in Nepal)
Answers
Explanation:
able 1.1 provides a summary of the basic demographic indicators for Nepal from census data for 1971,
1981, and 1991 (Central Bureau of Statistics, 1995). There was a 59 percent increase in the population over the
20-year period. The population growth rate increased from 2.1 in 1971 to 2.6 in 1981 and then declined again
to 2.1 in 1991. Nepal's population is young, with two of five persons below the age of 15. This young age
distribution is due to the relatively high fertility in Nepal. In fact, between 1971 and 1981 there was no change
in the total fertility rate (TFR) obtained from census estimates. The TFR continues to be high, 5.6 percent in
1991, although it has declined slightly from its 1971/1981 level. The mean age at marriage has risen little over
the past two decades, increasing by 0.6 years for males and 1.4 years for females. Nevertheless, data obtained
from different demographic surveys indicate that the desired family size in Nepal has decreased over the years
from 4 children in 1976 to 3 in 1991 (Ministry of Health, 1993). There has been a corresponding increase in the
contraceptive prevalence rate for modem methods from a low of 3 percent in 1976 to 24 percent in 1991.
That both fertility and mortality have been declining can be seen from Table 1.1. While the decline in
fertility is a more recent phenomenon, mortality has been decreasing slowly over the years. The crude death rate
declined from 20 per 1,000 in 1974/75 to 13 per 1,000 in 1991, while the infant mortality rate experienced a 44
percent decline between 1971 and 1991. These trends suggest that the demographic transition is taking place in
Nepal with ample scope for both fertility and mortality to decline further. Male and female life expectancy has
gone up by about 13 years over the 20-year period.
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