India, the second-most populous country in the world, presents a diverse and dynamic demographic profile. Understanding population data, literacy, sex ratio, fertility, life expectancy, and migration trends is crucial for planning economic, social, and policy initiatives.
Population Overview
- Total Internal Migrants: 139 million (Census 2011)
- Average Age of Population: 29 years
- Average Age of Parliamentarians: 55 years
Population growth, as per Malthusian theory, underscores the pressures from rising demographic numbers on resources, employment, and infrastructure.
Migration in India
- Inter-State Migration: Nearly 9 million people annually moved between states between 2011 and 2016 (Economic Survey 2017).
- Migration is driven by employment, education, marriage, and environmental factors, affecting urbanization, labor markets, and regional development.
Literacy Rate
- Overall Literacy: 74%
- Male Literacy: 82%
- Female Literacy: 65%
Literacy gaps highlight gender disparities and the need for education-focused policies to promote inclusive development.
Sex Ratio
- Overall Sex Ratio: 943 females per 1000 males
- Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years): 918 females per 1000 males
These figures reflect persistent gender imbalances, necessitating interventions like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao to improve child sex ratio and gender equality.
Fertility
- Total Fertility Rate (TFR): 2.0 (NFHS-5)
- Fertility trends indicate stabilizing population growth, with implications for healthcare, family planning, and workforce planning.
Life Expectancy at Birth
- Overall: 69 years (World Average: 72.81 years)
- Females: 70.7 years
- Males: 68.2 years
Improvements in healthcare access, nutrition, and public health contribute to increasing life expectancy, though challenges remain in rural and underserved regions.
Conclusion
India’s population dynamics — characterized by migration, literacy, sex ratio disparities, fertility, and life expectancy — reflect both opportunities and challenges. Policymakers must balance economic growth, education, gender equality, and healthcare to harness the potential of a young and growing population while ensuring sustainable development.