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TRENDS IN POPULATION GROWTH SINCE 1901- INDIA

There have been significant trends in population growth in India since 1901. These significant trends or turning points are the census years 1921, 1951, 1981. Based on these trends, population growth can be divided into four phases

1)  Period of stagnant population : (1901-1921)

From 19th century India had been experienced sporadic, irregular, and slow growth of population until 1921. The high birth rate had been balanced by the high death rate. The year 1921 considered as 'demographic divide' or 'great divide year', because India had registered a negative growth rate of -0.31% which happened only once in the demographic history of India. It is because of high mortality rate due to epidemics of influenza, plague, cholera, small pox etc., and also food shortage due to droughts during 1911-1921.

2)  Period of steady growth : (1921-1951)

Population has increased from 251 million to 361 million between the year 1921 to 1951. This period of thirty years had registers 47.3% of growth rate. The mortality rate had started slowing downward due to the result of improving health facilities and also continuous high birth rate.

3)  Period of rapid high growth : (1951-1981)

During this period, the population of India increased from 361 million to 683 million registering 89.36% of growth rate over these thirty years. Though mortality rate had fallen, but the fertility rate remained high. This period has often referred as the period of population explosion.

4)  Period of high growth rate with definite signs of slowing down : (1981-2011)

Due to improving health conditions, family planning and other awareness programmes, this period shows the definite signs of slowing down. Total population has increased from 683 million to 1.21 billion in 2011.

From these trends it has observed that population growth in India has almost experiencing the phases mentioned in Demographic transition theory.