India: People and Economy
India's people and economy section links population distribution, growth and composition to agriculture, industry and regional inequality. Use 2011 census figures unless a question states otherwise.
Core facts
- Population is concentrated in the Indo-Gangetic plain, coastal lowlands and Kerala; it is sparse in the Thar Desert, Himalayan belt and north-eastern hills.
- Census 2011: population 1.21 billion; density 382 persons/km²; sex ratio 943 females per 1,000 males; literacy 74.04%; urban share 31.16%.
- Growth phases: 1901–1921 stagnant; 1921–1951 steady; 1951–1981 rapid; after 1981 high absolute increase with a declining rate.
- A young age structure can yield a demographic dividend only with education, health and jobs.
Worked example
If 30% of a state is aged 0–14, 5% is 65 and above and 65% is 15–64, dependency ratio = (30+5)/65 × 100 ≈ 53.8 dependants per 100 workers. A high ratio means heavier support pressure; a low ratio does not automatically create growth.
Traps
Do not quote the 2011 density as current. Sex ratio is females per 1,000 males. Literacy is 74.04%, not 74%. Do not treat the demographic dividend as automatic. Do not confuse population growth rate with absolute population increase.