Regional Variation in Population Growth

The growth rate of the population during the period of 1991-2001 in Indian States and Union Territories follows a distinct pattern.

States such as Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry, and Goa exhibit a low growth rate, not surpassing 20 percent over the decade. Kerala, in particular, records the lowest growth rate (9.4), not only within this group but also across the entire country.

In contrast, a continuous belt of states from west to east in the north-west, north, and north-central parts of the country demonstrates a relatively higher growth rate compared to the southern states. This belt, including Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, maintains an average growth rate of 20-25 percent.

During the subsequent decade (2001-2011), the growth rates of almost all states and Union Territories decline compared to the previous decade. The six most populous states experience a reduction in growth rates, with Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh all registering decreases during 2001-2011 compared to 1991-2001.

However, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry witness slight increases during 2001-2011 over the previous decade.

An essential aspect of population growth in India is the growth of adolescents. Currently, adolescents, up to the age group of 10-19 years, comprise about 20.9 percent of the population, with male adolescents constituting 52.7 percent and female adolescents constituting 47.3 percent. While adolescents are seen as having high potential, they are also vulnerable if not guided and channeled properly.

Challenges related to adolescents include lower age at marriage, illiteracy (particularly female illiteracy), school dropouts, inadequate nutrient intake, high rates of maternal mortality among adolescent mothers, HIV and AIDS infections, physical and mental disabilities, drug abuse and alcoholism, juvenile delinquency, and crime.

In response to these challenges, the Government of India has implemented various policies aimed at providing proper education and guidance to adolescents. The National Youth Policy, launched in February 2014, aims to empower the youth of India to achieve their full potential. The National Policy for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, formulated in 2015, seeks to provide a framework for skilling activities and align them with common standards.

Overall, the discussion highlights the wide variation in population growth rates across space and time in India, along with various social problems associated with population growth. Understanding the social composition of the population is crucial for gaining insight into population growth patterns.

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