World Population Day: India Should Focus on Youth

  •   Mon, Jul 11 2011
  •   By Nafeesa M P

July 11, 2011

World Population Day is observed on July 11 every year to create awareness about family planning, maternal health, gender equality, poverty, and human rights. These social parameters are usually the fundamental indices of a countries economic growth.

This year the World Population Day assumes greater significance as the population will touch the seven billion mark by the end of October 2011. The theme of this year’s population day is ‘Calling Attention to Urgent Global Issues’ by which UN urges all governments, communities and individuals to understand and take action on issues related to population growth.

When it comes to population, the growth of our country is unmatched. India, as per the recent census has 1.21 billion people, with a 181 million increase from the last census in 2001, which is equal to the whole population of Brazil. The government of India declared this year’s census as 'landmark' as we have added less number people as compareed to the last census, while the growth rate has fallen by 4 percent.

Have you ever compared the size of Mumbai city with that of Australia on a map? They are two extremes - Mumbai looks like an amoeba stretching into the blue of the Arabian Sea, whereas Australia is a continent which can encompass a hundred Mumbais in it. But suprisingly, the commercial city of India is home for a population that equals the entire population of Australia. The combined population of UP and Maharashtra is higher than that of the US.

With the recent economic growth in the country more people aspire for a better quality of life and want to have fewer children. This trend has cut short the population growth in the southern states by a laudable percentage.

The literacy rate has gone up to 64% which is more worry than merry for the government as the literate people need jobs, which is a big challenge to provide. The skilled employment in the country is still murky, as many of the students are school dropouts - only 15% of Indian students reach high school. India has over 400 universities which provide higher education to just 7% of the students. As of 2008, India's post-secondary high schools offer seats only enough for 7% of India's college-going population. Providing education and jobs for its vast young population still is a huge challenge for the state. The educated majority in the country is lacking strong skills and the focus must shift to skill development among the youth which will ensure employability.

The 12% rise in literacy about which the government is so optimistic does not speak of the fact that as many children quit to support their family. Many of our children are involved in child labour that too in the inhuman environments in some remote villages. Parents have more children as the family cannot survive with the earnings of a lone member, so children here are considered as future investment to look after the parents. These kids do not see the school doors or run out cooing when the long bell rings at the end of the day, instead they come weary of the day’s labour earning a scarce amount. Basic literacy is a child’s birth right and therefore it should be made available, but unless and until we provide quality education to them it will be a target never achieved.

The country has possibly about 600 million people below the age of 30, maybe 400-450 million below the age of 20,  but only 13% of these age groups are in college. So we have abundant jobseekers on hand but not enough jobs, so quite a huge number of people immigrate to the west and the Middle East for employment. There are opportunities too, but the youth lack skills and the government does not understand this problem. Education reforms are really not up to the mark. There is bad news accompanying the good news of rise in literacy by nine points to 74% and falling population growth. The figures in the census also show that infanticide is still common in the country, particularly in the north.

The country still has two-third of its population living in villages, and while achieving the status of a Superpower is still a distant dream for India it can expect some developments in the field of business outsourcing and service industry.

China still remains the most populous country on the planet, with 1.34 billion people but India is closing the gap with 1.21 billion. Population is placing a huge strain on the social services and infrastructure in both countries, hindering them from becoming Superpowers.

By Nafeesa M P
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Comment on this article

  • gausiya mp, uppala

    Thu, Jul 14 2011

    the article is very good
    it is very useful.nappu how long this article is yaar? keep writing its interesting.

  • ashenoy, mangloor

    Mon, Jul 11 2011

    Superpower at the cost of humanity????

  • Tony, Mangalore/Sydney

    Mon, Jul 11 2011

    While it is pleasing to note that the population increase trend has cut short drastically in the Southern States, as it has been for a while now, it is still a worry as far as the Northern States are concerned, and every effort should be made by the Population Controling Agencies to educate the lot in the North, especially in the States of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal, about the importance of limiting their family.

    The total increase in population of 181 million over a period of 10 years (from 2001 to 2011), which is about 18% overall increase, should be a matter of great worry for the Indian Government, and until and unless this rate is drastically curtailed, one cannot see any oportunity or scope to improve the standard of living, especially for people in the lower echelon of society.

  • geeta galani, nagpur

    Mon, Jul 11 2011

    article is very useful for our student and very significient for every teacher.


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