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Demographic changes in India | Editorial Notes

Demographic changes

Demographic changes in India highlight significant progress in health and poverty reduction while facing challenges in nutrition and gender equality, aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Demographic changes
[Ref: The Hindu]

Content

  • Introduction
  • Population Dynamics
  • SDG Progress and Challenges
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Introduction

  • The United Nations established World Population Day on July 11, based on a concept proposed by a renowned demographer.
  • The global population reached 5 billion in 1987, highlighting challenges like poverty, health, and gender inequality.
  • During the 1960s and 1970s, the global population growth rate was 2% annually.
  • Despite predictions of doom, improvements in healthcare and living standards have led to decreased fertility rates and increased life expectancy globally.

Population Dynamics

  • Fertility: India’s total fertility rate decreased from 3.4 in 1992 to 2 in 2021, now below the replacement level of 2.1.
  • Mortality: Reduction in mortality rates has been significant, contributing to higher life expectancy.
  • Migration and Urbanization:
    • Rapid rural-to-urban migration challenges existing infrastructure.
    • There’s a need for improved urban planning and services.

SDG Progress and Challenges

Poverty Reduction:

  • The population living below the poverty line reduced from 48% in 1990 to 10% in 2019.
  • The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) played a crucial role.

Health Improvements:

  • Significant reductions in maternal and child mortality rates.
  • Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) decreased from 384.4 in 2000 to 102.7 in 2020.
  • Infant mortality rate reduced from 66.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 25.5 in 2021.

Nutrition and Hunger:

  • Although self-sufficient in crop production post-Green Revolution, India still struggles with malnutrition.
  • Global Hunger Index (2023) ranks India 111 out of 125 countries.
  • High rates of stunting, wasting, underweight among children, and anaemia among women persist.

Conclusion

India’s pursuit of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals reflects its demographic trends and development challenges. Success in achieving these goals demands recognizing and integrating population dynamics into national policies. Addressing income inequality, harnessing the demographic dividend, and improving gender equality are crucial. Effective policy adjustments and increased budget allocations for health and nutrition are needed to tackle persistent challenges and ensure sustainable development.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is World Population Day and why was it established?

World Population Day, established on July 11 by the United Nations, focuses on challenges like poverty, health, and gender inequality triggered by the global population reaching 5 billion in 1987.

What does the term ‘demographic dividend’ refer to?

The demographic dividend refers to the economic growth potential that arises from shifts in a population’s age structure, typically when the working-age population is larger than the non-working-age share of the population.

What does the Global Hunger Index indicate about India’s nutritional status?

The Global Hunger Index (2023) ranks India 111 out of 125 countries, indicating significant challenges with malnutrition, stunting, wasting, and anaemia among children and women.

What is the ‘replacement level’ in terms of fertility rate?

The replacement level of fertility is the average number of children that must be born to women to replace the population from one generation to the next, typically quantified as 2.1 children per woman.

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