Population Growth and Processes of Population Change
The population of the world is unequal in geographic, numerical and space distribution. It consists of individuals belonging to different ethnic groups, speaking different languages and professing different religions.
The rapid increase in the population has led the governments to take steps for its control and to formulate effective population policies.
Population Growth
The growth of population is usually inferred from the data of average annual population growth, which shows how much is the average annual change in population size.
The second way to express it is by using the rate of change of population numbers in a country or geopolitical entity. Population growth can be influenced by natural positive or negative factors and by the flow of migrants into and out of specific territories.
Growth of population refers to the change in the number of inhabitants of a country/territory during a specific period of time. This change can be expressed in 2 ways:
1. In terms of absolute numbers: The absolute numbers are obtained by subtracting the earlier population (e.g. that of 2001) from the later population (e.g. that of 2011).
2. In terms of percentage change per year: It is studied in percent per annum, e.g. a rate of increase of 2 percent per annum means that in a given year, there was an increase of two persons for every 100 persons in the base population. This is referred to as the annual growth rate.
Processes of Population Change/Growth –
There are three main processes of change of population: birth rates, death rates, and migration. The natural increase of population is the difference between birth rates and death rates. The birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year.
- Birth Rates: Birth rate is the number of live births per thousand persons in a year. In India, birth rates have always been higher than death rates.
- Death Rates: Death rate is the number of deaths per thousand persons in a year.
- Migration: Migration is the movement of people across regions and territories. Migration can be internal (within the country) or international (between the countries). It influences the distribution of population within the nation. In India, the rural-urban migration has resulted in a steady increase in the percentage of the population in cities and towns.