Page 1 - Sub Topic4-LN

SAI International School
Grade-X, Sub: Geography

Sub Topic4- Characteristics or qualities of the Population
(Age composition, Sex Ratio)

Sub-topics Lesson Notes

Characteristi Age Composition
cs or
qualities of • The age composition of a population refers to the number of people in different
the age groups in a country.
Population:
Age • The number and percentage of a population found within the children, working
composition, age and aged groups are notable determinants of the population’s social and
Sex Ratio- economic structure.
(Pg. No-
58,59) • Population of country can be grouped into three categories:

→ Children (below 15 years): economically unproductive, need to be provided with
food, clothing, education and medical care. Comprises 34.4% of total India's
population.

→ Working Age (15-59 years): economically productive and biologically
reproductive. Considered as working population. Comprises 6.9% of total India's
population.

→ Aged (Above 59 years): can be economically productive though they may have
retired. May be working but they are not available for employment through
recruitment. Comprises 58.7% of total India's population.

• The percentage of children and the aged affect the dependency ratio because
these groups are not producers.

Sex Ratio

• Sex ratio is defined as the number of females per 1000 males in the population.

• It is an important social indicator to measure the extent of equality between males
and females in a society at a given time. In India, sex ratio has always remained
unfavourable to females.

• According to (Table 6.2: India: Sex Ratio 1951-2011) India has unfavourable sex ratio
and it is even showing a declining trend.