Explain about population dividend in recent years and factors that can affect it in coming years.
There are various speculations regarding the next World War, i.e., World War 3. Many world leaders, often mention that we are in a grave situation already, and a few mistakes away from triggering a world war. It is usually debated that the next world war will be fought using deadly forces like atomiRead more
There are various speculations regarding the next World War, i.e., World War 3. Many world leaders, often mention that we are in a grave situation already, and a few mistakes away from triggering a world war. It is usually debated that the next world war will be fought using deadly forces like atomic weapons, chemical weapons, and biological weapons.
There are more than twelve thousand nuclear weapons across the world now. Just two atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during the Second World War brought a nuclear winter after destroying millions of lives. Even if just 100 current-day atomic weapons were used in the Third World War, it would be a catastrophe for the environment, causing irreversible changes to our climate. An increase in temperature, atomic dust and subsequent high radiation clouds spreading miles and miles will make our atmosphere impenetrable to sunlight. This might usher in another ice age, causing an extinction-level climate change.
Similarly, using deadly chemicals may pollute our rivers, destroying aquatic flora and fauna. Such acts will bring ecological imbalance and eventually will cause major climate change.
Biological weapons, similarly can be harmful not only to humans but also other species. Such warfare will also destroy ecosystem homeostasis. The next world war will be bad for the climate.
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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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