Population Composition

Population Composition: • Population composition refers to the structure of a population — its characteristics such as age, sex, literacy, occupation, ethnicity, religion, and language. • Understanding composition helps planners determine the needs and productive capacity of a population. Key Attributes of Population Composition: 1. Age Composition: • The distribution of population across different age groups. • Three broad groups: - 0–14 years: Children (dependent population — not in labour force) - 15–59 years: Working-age population (productive) - 60+ years: Elderly (dependent population) • Age composition varies significantly between developing and developed countries. • Developing countries have a high proportion of young people (broad base in population pyramid). • Developed countries have an ageing population (narrower base, broader middle and top). 2. Sex Composition: • The ratio of males to females — expressed as the Sex Ratio. • Sex Ratio (India's definition): Number of females per 1,000 males. • World average: Slightly more females than males overall. • Male-heavy countries: China, India (due to son preference, female foeticide). • Female-heavy countries: Russia, Ukraine (higher male mortality). 3. Literacy: • The proportion of people who can read and write. • Higher literacy → better economic productivity, lower birth rates, better health outcomes. • Literacy rates are higher in developed countries and lower in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia. 4. Occupational Composition: • The distribution of the working population across different sectors. • Primary (agriculture, fishing, mining), Secondary (manufacturing), Tertiary (services). • Developed countries: Most workers in tertiary sector. • Developing countries: Most workers in primary sector. 5. Rural-Urban Composition: • Proportion of population living in rural vs. urban areas. • Urbanisation is a key indicator of development.

Population Pyramid: • A population pyramid (age-sex pyramid) is a graphical representation of the age and sex composition of a population. • It consists of two back-to-back horizontal bar graphs — males on the left, females on the right — each bar representing an age group (usually 5-year intervals). • The width of each bar represents either the absolute number or the percentage of the total population in that age-sex group. What a Population Pyramid Reveals: 1. Shape tells the stage of demographic transition: (a) Expansive / Broad-based pyramid: • Wide base, narrowing sharply toward the top. • Indicates HIGH birth rate and HIGH death rate (or high birth rate and declining death rate). • Young population dominates — population is growing fast. • Typical of developing countries (Nigeria, Uganda, India 1970s). (b) Constrictive / Narrow-based pyramid: • Narrowing at the base — fewer young people relative to older groups. • Indicates LOW birth rate. • Ageing population — population growth is slowing or declining. • Typical of developed countries (Germany, Japan, Sweden). (c) Stationary / Bell-shaped pyramid: • Roughly equal proportions across age groups — tapering only at the very top. • Both birth and death rates are low — stable population. 2. Sex ratio: • Asymmetry between left (male) and right (female) bars indicates imbalances — e.g., male-dominated young adults may indicate labour migration; more elderly women indicates women's longer life expectancy. 3. Historical events: • Wars: A 'notch' (narrow cohort) in the 20–35 age group may represent higher male deaths in war. • Baby boom: A bulge in a specific age cohort. • Famine: A narrowing across all groups in a particular year. Indian Population Pyramid: • India's pyramid is broadly expansive — large young population, indicating rapid growth — but the base is narrowing as fertility falls, showing demographic transition in progress.

Sex Ratio: • The sex ratio is the number of females per 1,000 males (Indian definition) — or the number of males per 100 females (international convention). • It is an important indicator of gender equity and social development. Global Variations: • World average: About 990 females per 1,000 males (slightly female-biased overall). Countries with more females than males: • Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, most of Eastern Europe: Result of high male mortality during World War II, higher male death rates from alcohol, accidents, and cardiovascular disease. • Most of Western Europe: Women's longer life expectancy. Countries with more males than females: • Countries in the Middle East and South/East Asia: Male labour migration has inflated male numbers (UAE, Qatar — huge influx of male migrant workers). • China and India: Son preference has led to selective abortion of female foetuses — China's sex ratio was 116 males per 100 females at birth (due to the One Child Policy and son preference). India's Sex Ratio: • 2011 Census: 943 females per 1,000 males (overall). • Child Sex Ratio (0–6 years): 919 — even more skewed, indicating female foeticide. • States with better sex ratios: Kerala (1084), Chhattisgarh, Puducherry. • States with worse sex ratios: Haryana (879), Punjab — wealthy northern states have worse ratios due to stronger son preference. Factors Affecting Sex Ratio: 1. Biological: At birth, slightly more males are born (about 105:100) — but male mortality is higher at every age, gradually equalising and then reversing. 2. Son preference and female foeticide: Cultural preference for sons leads to sex-selective abortion and infanticide in some societies. 3. Migration: Male-dominated labour migration skews sex ratios in destination areas. 4. Social status of women: Societies with high female education and autonomy tend to have more balanced ratios.