Population Composition & Demographic Structure 

Population composition can be defined as the demographic structure of the population. It gives information about age, sex, literacy, health condition, occupation, income level, etc.

A country’s population composition can be effectively understood through the study of a population pyramid. It is also known as an age-sex pyramid.

Also, In this article the composition of Indian population with respect to their rural-urban characteristics, language, religion and pattern, occupation will be discussed.

Exploring Population Composition Through the Prism of Pyramid Dynamics
visualize age and gender data of the population, providing insights into Population Composition. (Refer to Figure 1)

Population Pyramid

• It consists of two vertical bar graphs, one for each gender (Generally men on the left and women on the right).
• The numbers are shown horizontally and the ages vertically. 
  • Pyramid shape indicates birth, death, and dependency rates.
• Broad Base and Narrow Top: As seen in Kenya (Refer to Figure 2), suggest high birth and death rates. Population Pyramid of Kenya

• • • Broad Young Age Group: As in India, (Refer to Figure 3) indicates a large young and expanding labour force.

Population Pyramid of India

• • • Narrow Base: As in Japan, (Refer to Figure 4) suggests low birth rates and a higher elderly population.

Population Pyramid of Japan

 Rural – Urban Composition:

• Rural Dominance: About 68.8% of India’s population resided in villages as of Census 2011.
• Village Mosaic: India comprises 640,867 villages as per the 2011 Census, with 93.2% being inhabited.
• Regional Disparities:  The size of villages varies considerably across the country.
  • States like Bihar and Sikkim have a very high percentage of rural population, while Goa and Maharashtra have just over half their population in villages.
• Urban Surge: Urban population accounts for 31.16%, growing rapidly due to economic development and improved health conditions.
• Varied Urbanization: Urbanization varies across the country with significant rural-urban migration, especially along major road and rail links.

Linguistic Composition: India’s Diversity in Population Composition 

• India is a diverse nation linguistically. 
  • Grierson‘s survey (1903-1928) noted 179 languages and 544 dialects.
  • Modern India recognizes about 22 scheduled languages.
  • Hindi speakers make up the highest percentage among the scheduled languages.
  • Linguistic boundaries in India often overlap and are not strictly defined.

Classification of Modern Indian Languages

Religious Composition: India’s Population Composition and Cultural Diversity

• Religion plays a significant role in India’s cultural and political life.
  • Hindus: They are predominant in many states, except some border districts, Jammu & Kashmir, North Eastern hill states, and parts of Deccan Plateau and Ganga Plain.
  • Muslims: They are concentrated in areas like Jammu & Kashmir, parts of West Bengal, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Lakshadweep.
  • Christians: Their population is found mainly in the Western coast around Goa and Kerala, and hill states like Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland.
  • Sikhs: They reside primarily in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi.
  • Jains: They are largely in urban areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
  • Buddhists: They are predominant in areas of Maharashtra, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Tripura, and Lahaul and Spiti.

Religious Communities of India, 2011

India’s diversity in rural-urban distribution, languages, and religions, and population composition provides insights into its complex socio-cultural fabric, which has evolved over millennia and is reflective of the country’s rich history and heritage.

Workforce Dynamics: Examining Population Composition and Economic Engagement in India

• Economic Status Groups:

• • Main Workers: Those who have had work for the major part of the reference year.
  • Marginal Workers: Those who worked for a relatively smaller part of the year and were available for work for the remaining major part.
  • Non-Workers: Those who didn’t work at all.

• Proportion of Workers: Only 39.8% of the Indian population was engaged in work (as of 2011), which suggests a large proportion of the dependent population. 
  • The implication is a potential high rate of unemployment or underemployment. (Refer to Figure)

Occupational Structure, 2011 

• Work Participation Rate (WPR): It is defined as the percentage of the total population that constitutes the workforce (both employed and unemployed), providing valuable insights into Population Composition and economic engagement. 
  • It indicates how effectively the labour potential is utilised in the economy.
  • The formula for WPR is: 

• Based on the information provided, the WPR of India in 2011 was 39.8%.
• Variation in Work Participation Rate: The WPR, influenced by population composition, varies across states and Union Territories.
  • Example: Goa: 39.6% and Daman and Diu: 49.9%
  • States with higher WPR include Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Meghalaya.
  • Among Union Territories, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have higher participation rates.
  • A higher WPR in areas of lower economic development in India can be attributed to the need for manual labor in subsistence activities.
• Occupational Composition: : Exploring the Population Composition in India’s Workforce 
  • Primary Sector Workers: A significant portion (54.6%) of the working population is engaged in agricultural activities (cultivators and agricultural labourers).
  • Secondary and Tertiary Sectors: 3.8% are engaged in household industries, while 41.6% are involved in other tasks such as non-household industries, trade, commerce, construction, repair, and various services.
  • Gender Disparity: Males outnumber females in all three sectors of occupation.

Conclusion
The intricate tapestry of India’s socio-cultural landscape, shaped by its diverse rural-urban distribution, languages, religions, and population composition, reflects a rich history and heritage. The unique blend of these elements underscores the dynamic nature of the country, serving as a testament to its resilience and adaptability over the millennia.

Also Read: Exploring the Density of Population, Distribution Patterns, Growth Trends