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Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition – Class 12 Geography notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Geography, chapter 9. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

According to Census 2011, India had a population of about 121 crore, the second largest in the world at that time; by the UN's estimates India became the most populous country in 2023. Population is unevenly distributed, with high densities in the northern plains and coastal areas and low densities in mountains, deserts and forests. India's population grew slowly before 1921, steadily until 1951, rapidly from 1951 to 1981, and with a declining growth rate since then. Its composition varies by age, sex, literacy, rural–urban residence, language, religion and occupation.

Distribution, density and growth

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state; Bihar has the highest density (Census 2011), while Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest.
The density of population in 2011 was 382 persons per sq km.
Growth phases: 1901–1921 stagnant (1921 is called the year of the great divide), 1921–1951 steady growth, 1951–1981 population explosion, and after 1981 high growth with a definite slowing trend; the decadal growth rate in 2001–2011 was about 17.7%.

Population composition

The sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) was 943 in 2011; Kerala had the highest and Haryana among the lowest.
The literacy rate was about 74% in 2011, with a significant gap between males and females and between states; Kerala had the highest literacy.
About 31% of the population was urban in 2011; India has a large young population, which can be a demographic dividend if educated and employed; workers are classified into main workers, marginal workers and non-workers.

Key terms

Census: the official count of a country's population, held in India every ten years
Sex ratio: the number of females per 1,000 males
Decadal growth rate: the percentage change in population over ten years
Demographic dividend: economic benefit from a large working-age population
Literacy rate: percentage of people aged 7 years and above who can read and write with understanding

Important questions with answers

What is the demographic dividend?2 marks

The demographic dividend is the economic growth potential that arises when a country has a large share of working-age population relative to dependents. India can benefit if its young people are educated, healthy, skilled and productively employed.

Why is the population density high in the northern plains?3 marks

The northern plains have fertile alluvial soils, flat land, abundant water from perennial rivers, irrigation facilities, a favourable climate for agriculture and good transport, which support intensive farming, industries and towns, leading to high population density.

Describe the phases of population growth in India.5 marks

India's population growth over the twentieth century can be divided into four phases. In the first phase, from 1901 to 1921, growth was very slow or stagnant because both birth and death rates were high; epidemics, famines and the influenza pandemic of 1918 caused many deaths, and the population even declined between 1911 and 1921. The year 1921 is therefore called the year of the great divide. In the second phase, from 1921 to 1951, population grew steadily as improvements in health, sanitation and transport reduced death rates, while birth rates remained high. In the third phase, from 1951 to 1981, the population grew rapidly, a period called the population explosion, because death rates fell sharply with medical advances and better food supply after independence, while birth rates remained high, giving average annual growth rates above 2%. In the fourth phase, after 1981, the growth rate began to decline gradually because birth rates fell due to rising age at marriage, improved female education, family planning and better health care, though the absolute population continued to increase. The decadal growth rate fell to about 17.7% in 2001–2011, the lowest since independence.

Quick revision

Uneven distribution; UP most populous; Bihar highest density.
Four phases of growth; 1921 great divide.
Sex ratio 943; literacy about 74%; urban about 31%.
Age structure; demographic dividend; workers.

Exam tips

Remember Census 2011 figures: density 382, sex ratio 943, literacy about 74%.
Draw a timeline of the four phases of population growth.

Practice MCQs

The census in India is usually conducted every
1. 5 years
2. 10 years
3. 15 years
4. 20 years
Show answer
Answer: (b) 10 years. The last completed census was in 2011.
The number of females per 1,000 males is the
1. literacy rate
2. sex ratio
3. density
4. growth rate
Show answer
Answer: (b) sex ratio. It was 943 in 2011.
The most populous state of India is
1. Maharashtra
2. Bihar
3. Uttar Pradesh
4. West Bengal
Show answer
Answer: (c) Uttar Pradesh. It has the largest population.
The year 1921 is called the year of the
1. population explosion
2. great divide
3. green revolution
4. independence
Show answer
Answer: (b) great divide. After it, population grew steadily.
According to Census 2011, the density of population in India was about
1. 182
2. 282
3. 382
4. 482
Show answer
Answer: (c) 382. It is persons per sq km.
The state with the highest literacy rate in 2011 was
1. Bihar
2. Kerala
3. Rajasthan
4. Punjab
Show answer
Answer: (b) Kerala. Kerala also has a favourable sex ratio.
The period 1951–1981 is called the period of
1. stagnant population
2. declining population
3. population explosion
4. zero growth
Show answer
Answer: (c) population explosion. Death rates fell rapidly while birth rates stayed high.
India's demographic dividend can be realised mainly by
1. reducing education
2. providing education, skills and jobs to the large young population
3. stopping urbanisation
4. increasing the dependency ratio
Show answer
Answer: (b) providing education, skills and jobs to the large young population. A skilled workforce drives growth.

All chapters of Class 12 Geography

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.