The Census was due in 2021 but was postponed due to Covid.Three years have passed yet the Government has still not declared its intent to perform the Census.What could be the possible reasons?
The first census in India began in 1871, during British rule. This monumental effort aimed to gather detailed information about the country's population, which was crucial for administrative and governance purposes. The British administration initiated this census to understand the demographic makeuRead more
The first census in India began in 1871, during British rule. This monumental effort aimed to gather detailed information about the country’s population, which was crucial for administrative and governance purposes. The British administration initiated this census to understand the demographic makeup of the diverse and vast Indian subcontinent.
The census process was extensive and complex, considering India’s size and population diversity. It covered various aspects such as population size, distribution, and social, economic, and cultural characteristics. Despite facing numerous challenges like linguistic diversity, geographic obstacles, and widespread illiteracy, the census was a significant achievement.
The data collected provided insights into the population’s age, gender, occupation, and religious affiliations. This information was instrumental in shaping policies related to taxation, education, health, and public administration. It also laid the foundation for more systematic and periodic censuses in the future.
The 1871 census marked the beginning of a continuous series of decennial (every ten years) censuses, which have become an integral part of India’s statistical system. These censuses have evolved over time, incorporating advanced methodologies and technologies to provide more accurate and comprehensive data, crucial for the country’s planning and development.
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Population Dividend Population dividend, or demographic dividend as it is called when speaking of economic growth is a term that denotes the potential growth which a country can exploit when a larger part of its population is in the working-age group (15-64 years) rather than dependents (children anRead more
Population Dividend
Population dividend, or demographic dividend as it is called when speaking of economic growth is a term that denotes the potential growth which a country can exploit when a larger part of its population is in the working-age group (15-64 years) rather than dependents (children and the old age). India is among such countries, with 65% of its population being below 35 years old.
Factors Influencing India’s Population Dividend in Coming Years .
1. Education and Skill Development
– The workforce must be equipped with the skills the market needs, which can only come from quality education and vocational training.
2. Job Creation
– India has to create a lot of job opportunities, especially in manufacturing, services, and technology sectors, to accommodate the young population. If not enough job growth, the demographic dividend could become a demographic liability.
3. Healthcare A healthy workforce is pivotal to sustained productivity. The lack of healthcare infrastructure and the newly emerging lifestyle diseases could be the main reasons why such productivity will not be achieved by the working-age population.
4. Gender Inclusion
– The inclusion of women in the workforce is a strong factor in maximizing the demographic dividend. The percent of women who are a part of the workforce in India, at the moment, is really small, which is one of the main economy-constrainers.
5. Regional Disparities – The northern Indian states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are seeing a youth surge after enjoying decades of fertility decline and increasing female literacy. On the other hand, the southern states with Kerala and Tamil Nadu are struggling due to the aging population. Such a situation would mean that only a part of this demographic would be representative of a region and, at the same time, may create disparities in the development of different areas of the country.
6. Automation and Technology
The rise of technology innovation, in particular, the expansion of the industry of automation, is expected to result in the reduction of low-skilled jobs. The only way India could ensure that its workforce is ready for this is by investing in the upskilling of its workforce for the upcoming industries.
Population dividends in India are noteworthy concepts of realization. They present a wonderful chance for economic growth. A timely and proper response to this valuable opportunity would require strategic actions in the fields of education, healthcare, job creation, and gender inclusion. If this would not be realized, the potential benefit would be lost and socio-economic challenges would emerge.
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