Demographics of India

Demographic Structure of Indian Society

Age Structure

• Youth dominant: 65% of India's population is below the age of 35
• Dependency ratio: High, with a large proportion of dependent population (children and elderly) compared to working-age population
• Age pyramid: Triangular, indicating a high birth rate and a large proportion of young population

Population Distribution

• Rural-urban divide: 70% of the population lives in rural areas, while 30% lives in urban areas
• Regional disparities: Population density varies greatly across regions, with highest density in the northern and eastern states

Sex Ratio

• Feminization of population: The proportion of females in the population is increasing, but still lower than the global average
• Gender imbalance: Sex ratio is skewed, with some states having a significantly lower number of females than males

Caste and Tribe

• Caste system: A complex system of social hierarchy, with four main castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras) and several sub-castes
• Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs): Constitutionally recognized groups facing social and economic discrimination

Religion

• Hindu majority: Around 80% of the population identifies as Hindu
• Minority religions: Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, and Jain populations make up the remaining 20%

Education and Occupation

• Literacy rate: Increasing, but still below the global average
• Occupational structure: Primary sector (agriculture) dominates, followed by secondary sector (industry) and tertiary sector (services)

Demographic Structure of Indian Society

Age Structure

• 65% of India's population is below 35 years old, making the population youth dominant
• The dependency ratio is high, meaning there are more dependents (children and elderly) compared to the working-age population
• The age pyramid in India is triangular, indicating a high birth rate and a large proportion of young population

Population Distribution

• 70% of India's population resides in rural areas, while 30% lives in urban areas, highlighting a significant rural-urban divide
• There are regional disparities in population density, with the highest density found in the northern and eastern states

Sex Ratio

• Although the proportion of females in the population is increasing, it is still lower than the global average, indicating feminization of population
• The sex ratio is skewed, with some states having a significantly lower number of females than males, resulting in gender imbalance

Caste and Tribe

• India's caste system is a complex social hierarchy with four main castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras) and several sub-castes
• Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) are constitutionally recognized groups that face social and economic discrimination

Religion

• Hindus make up around 80% of India's population, making them the majority
• The remaining 20% comprise minority religions, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains

Education and Occupation

• India's literacy rate is increasing, but still lags behind the global average
• The occupational structure in India is dominated by the primary sector (agriculture), followed by the secondary sector (industry), and then the tertiary sector (services)

This quiz covers the demographic structure of Indian society, including age structure, population distribution, and rural-urban divide. Understand the characteristics of India's population and its implications.