What is meant by growth of population discuss briefly four phases of population growth in india
Answers
i. Period of Stagnant Population (1901-1921):
Before 1921, India witnessed sporadic irregular and slow growth of population. The population was more or less stagnant, the high birth rate was counterbalanced by high death rate due to epidemics like influenza, plague, small pox, and shortage of food caused by severe droughts.
ii. Period of Steady Growth (1921-1951):
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After 1921, population started growing at a rate of more than 1 per cent per year. The cause of this increased growth rate was not a rise in fertility but a decline in mortality that set in due to a better health facilities sanitation, education and overall development. These developments helped controlling epidemics likes plague, cholera and malaria. The combined effects was that the population started increasing steadily.
iii. Period of Rapid High Growth (1951-1981):
After 1951, there was a steep fall in the mortality rate but the fertility remained high. Therefore, this period experienced very high rate of population growth (growth rate of over 2%) and is often referred to as the period of population explosion.
iv. Period of High Growth with definite signs of slowing down (1981-2011):
The last phase of 20th century i.e., the period between census years 1981 and 2011 is known as the period of high growth with definite sigh of slowing down. Although the growth rate was still very high, it started declining after 1981.
The highest ever growth rate of 2.22 per cent was recorded in 1971 which continued in 1981 also, it declined to 2.14% in 1991 and further to 1.95% in 2001 and 1.64% in 2011 although it is still higher than the world population growth rate of 1.23% but this declining trend marks the beginning of the new era in the demographic history of India and country has now reached a take off stage in its demographic transition.
Growth of population is the change in the number of inhabitants living in an area between two points of time.
----The four phases of population are as follows -
PHASE 1:
a) Period from 1901-1921.
b) Stagnant or stationary phase.
c) Low growth rate, even negative between 1911-1921.
d) Poor health facilities, illiterate, inefficient distribution system of food.
e) So, high birth and death rate.
PHASE 2:
a) Period from 1921-1951.
b) Steady population growth phase.
c) Improvement in health facilities, good transport and communication.
d) So, death rate decreased but high growth rate remained.
PHASE 3:
a) Period from 1951-1981.
b) Population explosion - phase.
c) More improvement in health and sanitation, distribution of basic needs
d) Rapid fall in death rate and high birth rate.
e) Economy started rising.
PHASE 4:
a) Period - Post 1981 till present
b) Improved education system, family planning
c) High birth rate but gradually decreasing.
d) Improved quality of life and better status of female education.