A large part of India’s population is working, this is a matter of advantage for the country.
India has left behind China, which was at the forefront in terms of population. Now India ranks first among the most populous countries. There is discussion of population because every year 11th July is named as World Population Day. The world population is estimated to reach 8.2 billion. This special day started in the year 1987, when the world population had reached five billion.
On the pretext of World Population Day, let us know that India is at the top in terms of population, is it a matter of pride or concern? Which are the top 10 most populous countries in the world?
How big is the population of India?
The population of India is considered to be more than 140 crores. The population of China has now started gradually decreasing. On the other hand, the pace of population growth in India has slowed down, but the total number is still very large. The number of youth in India is said to be 65 percent. A large part of the population is working. Not every country gets this situation. This strengthens India’s position. But India will still have to work directly on many fronts. Schemes will have to be planned not according to elections but according to population.
The number of elderly people is increasing in Japan, South Korea, many European countries and China. Young workers are decreasing there. India has youth power. This is the opportunity. But the opportunity will benefit only when the youth get the right education, skills and employment.
Compared to other countries of the world, the number of youth in India’s population is higher. Photo: Getty Images
Why can a large population be a cause for pride?
Large population can become the economic power of India. India has a huge domestic market. Crores of people shop here. They use mobile, clothing, food, home, vehicle, education and digital services. This gives companies a bigger market. When there are more consumers in the country, production can increase.
New companies can be formed. Investment may increase. Industries get customers. It boosts the economy. India’s digital market is a good example of this. Cheap internet, smartphones and digital payments have connected crores of people to the online economy. Today even small shopkeepers are taking digital payments. People of villages are also using online services.
Youth population is the biggest capital of India.
The average age of India is lower than that of many developed countries. This means that India will have a young working population for a long time. This is called demographic dividend. It can be understood in simple words like this. When the number of working people in a country exceeds the number of dependent people, the country can progress rapidly. Workers earn. Let’s do it. Let’s save. Let’s invest. Increase production. But demographic dividend does not come automatically. For this good education is required. Skills training is required. Women’s work participation will have to be increased. Jobs will have to be increased in industries. Health services will have to be improved.
These statistics related to women scare
The figures of National Family Health Survey-5 scare. According to the year 2019-2021, the rate of anemia among women aged 15–49 years in India is 57 percent. This means that 57 percent of women are anemic. In the National Family Health Survey-4 i.e. in the year 2015-16, this number was 53 percent. Meaning, 53 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years were anemic. This means that the figures have increased. Which is a clear warning that if the woman is not healthy then the children will also not be born healthy. The entire generation will remain weak. These figures also show that a lot of work remains to be done on health services. Based on these figures, it would be very difficult to ensure participation of half the population.
India will have a young working population for a long time. Photo: Pexels
Employment challenge due to large population
Every year in India, a large number of youth reach working age, but creating enough formal jobs is not easy. Degree alone does not solve the problem. The youth also need skills as per the market needs. There is a possibility of employment in sectors like construction, technology, health, tourism, agro-processing, logistics and green energy. Small and medium industries are also very important. They can provide work to a large number of people. India does not just want youth seeking jobs. It also needs youth to provide jobs. For this, entrepreneurship will have to be promoted. Easy credit, access to markets and technical assistance are essential.
The level of education will decide the future
Population becomes strength only when people are educated. Access to schools has increased in India, but the quality of education is still a big challenge. Many children have difficulty with basic reading, writing and mathematics. Reforms are also necessary in higher education. The gap between college education and the job market needs to be reduced. Students have to be prepared not just for exams but for work. Focus will have to be on digital skills, language skills, communication ability, problem solving and technical training. There are new possibilities in areas like IT, artificial intelligence, robotics and data. Also, practical skills like plumbers, electricians, machine operators and health workers are equally important.
Expenditure on health is truly an investment in the economic potential of the country.Photo: Pexels
Increasing pressure on health services
Large population has a direct impact on the health system. The need for hospitals, doctors, nurses, medicines and primary health centers increases. This challenge is greater in rural and remote areas. It is also important to pay attention to maternal health, child nutrition, vaccination and mental health. Problems like malnutrition and anemia still affect many families. Only healthy citizens become productive citizens. Therefore, expenditure on health should not be considered only as welfare expenditure. This is an investment in the economic potential of the country.
Concern about water, land and environment
With the increase in India’s population, pressure on natural resources increases. Water is the biggest concern. Many cities depend on groundwater. The water level is going down in many areas. The heat is increasing. The rain pattern is changing. Due to increase in crowd in cities, problems of traffic, pollution and garbage increase. The pressure on agricultural land is increasing. Forests and biodiversity are also being affected. The solution to this is not just a debate on population. Better urban planning is necessary. Rain water harvesting is necessary. Public transport will have to be strengthened. Investment on clean energy and waste management will have to be increased.
Women’s role is most important
On the question of population, women’s education and rights are most important. When girls go to school, get higher education and join employment, the decisions of families change. Health improves. Attention to children’s education increases. Family planning should not be a matter of pressure. It should be a matter of information, health services and personal choice. Women should get safe, respectable and accessible health services. Increasing women’s labor participation is also an economic need of India. No country can reach its full potential by keeping half the population behind.
The decreasing population of China is having a negative impact on the country. Photo: Pexels
What can be learned from China?
China’s declining population shows that population balance is very important. The low birth rate and increasing elderly population is now affecting the workforce there. India must understand that today’s youth population will not remain young forever. India will have to prepare for the future from now on. If the education of children, skills of youth and the employment system are strengthened today, then the country will be in a better position in the coming decades.
Large population is both pride and responsibility
India becoming the world’s most populous country is not just a matter of pride or concern. This is a big responsibility. There is immense potential in the huge population. This population can make India the world’s biggest market, biggest workforce and biggest innovation centre, but right policies are necessary for this. Need good education. Need quality health care. Need employment. Need clean water. Need a safe city. Women need equal opportunities. India’s real victory will not come from becoming number one in population. The real victory will be when every Indian gets a respectable life, education, health and opportunity for work. Only then will India’s population become not a burden but the biggest strength of the country.
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