Class 12 geography

Population: Distribution, Density, Growth, and Composition
Definition

Original: "The people are a very important component of a country. India is the second most
populous country after China in the world, with a total population of 1,210 million (2011)."
Simplified: "People form a key part of a country. India has the second-largest population (1,210
million in 2011) after China."

Key Facts for MCQs & Fill-Ups:

• India’s Population (2011 Census): 1,210 million
• Ranks: 2nd most populous country (after China)
• India’s population is larger than: North America, South America, and Australia
combined
• Impact of Large Population: Puts pressure on resources, causes socio-
economic challenges

Sources of Population Data

• Census in India: Conducted every 10 years
• First Census: 1872 (not complete)
• First Complete Census: 1881

Distribution of Population

India has a highly uneven pattern of population distribution. Uttar Pradesh has the highest
population, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal. Together with Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Gujarat, these states
account for about 76% of India's total population. In contrast, states like Jammu & Kashmir
(1.04%), Arunachal Pradesh (0.11%), and Uttarakhand (0.84%) have a much smaller share
despite having large geographical areas.

Factors Affecting Population Distribution

1. Physical Factors:
o Climate, terrain, and water availability play a major role.
o Densely populated regions: North Indian Plains, river deltas, and coastal
plains.
o Sparsely populated regions: Himalayas, interior regions of South and
Central India, Northeast, and Western states.
o Exceptions: Irrigation in Rajasthan, mineral and energy resources in
Jharkhand, and improved transport networks in Peninsular India have led

, to moderate to high population concentration in previously thinly
populated areas.
2. Socio-Economic & Historical Factors:
o Settled agriculture and agricultural development have led to high
population densities in fertile regions.
o Historical human settlements in river plains and coastal areas remain
densely populated despite environmental degradation.
o Industrialization and urbanization have increased population
concentration in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Pune,
Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Jaipur.
o Rural-to-urban migration for better job opportunities contributes to high
population in industrial regions.

Density of Population

Definition:
Original: "Density of population is expressed as the number of persons per unit area."
Simplified: "Population density tells how many people live in a specific land area."

India’s population density (2011) is 382 persons per sq. km, which has steadily increased
from 117 persons per sq. km in 1951. Over 50 years, the increase has been over 200 persons
per sq. km.

State-wise Density (2011 Census)

• Highest Density: Delhi (11,297 persons per sq. km)
• Lowest Density: Arunachal Pradesh (17 persons per sq. km)
• High-Density States: Bihar (1102), West Bengal (1029), Uttar Pradesh (828),
Kerala (859), Tamil Nadu (555)
• Moderate Density States: Assam, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana,
Jharkhand, Odisha
• Low-Density Regions: Himalayan states & Northeast (excluding Assam)
• Union Territories: Very high density (except Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

Types of Population Density

• Physiological Density = Total population / Net cultivated area
• Agricultural Density = Total agricultural population / Net cultivable area
o Agricultural population includes cultivators, agricultural laborers, and
their families.

These measures provide a better understanding of population pressure on cultivable land,
especially in an agrarian country like India.