Lesson video

Hello and welcome.

My name is Ms. Harrison.

I'm so excited to be learning with you today.

Today's lesson is called The Population of India.

Grab everything you might need for today's lesson and let's begin our learning.

By the end of today's lesson, you'll be able to describe population growth in India and explain why population distribution is uneven across the country.

Before we can begin this, we need to define the keywords that we'll be using in today's lesson.

The keywords are population, migration, population density, and population distribution.

Population.

This is the total number of people living in a particular area.

Migration.

This is moving from one place to another with the intention of staying there.

Population density.

This is the number of people living in a defined area, for example, 300 people per square kilometre.

Population distribution.

This is how people are spread out across a geographic area.

Now that we've defined these keywords, we can begin our learning.

The first question we're going to explore in today's lesson is, what is the population of India? India is the most populous country in the world with a population of over 1.

4 billion people.

This vast population contributes to the country's dynamic culture, economy and diversity, but it also presents significant challenges in terms of resources, infrastructure and urban planning.

As the population continues to grow, India faces pressure to provide for its people while ensuring sustainable development and improving living standards.

Lucas has said, "Around 18% of the world's people live in India.

India's population is 21 times the population of the UK." We can use population graphs to look at how populations have grown over time.

This population graph shows us how India's population has grown from 1950 to 2023.

India's population has grown by more than 1 billion people since 1950.

Why do populations change over time? Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Populations change over time due to factors like birth and death rates, migration, economic development and government policies.

Advances in healthcare, urbanisation, and environmental social factors also influence population growth or decline.

Which country has the largest population in the world? Is it a, China, b, India, c, Nigeria, d, United Kingdom? Pause the video here whilst you decide, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answer is b, India.

India has a population of 1438 million.

China has 1411 million, Nigeria, 228 million, and the United Kingdom, 68 million.

Sam said, "around 77% of the world's population live in Africa or Asia." There are different reasons why India's population has grown so quickly.

They include things like falling death rate, young population and a high birth rate.

Birth rate is a measure of the number of live births in a country in a given time.

India's birth rate has decreased over time, but it is still higher than in many other countries.

This graph shows us death rates and life expectancy in India.

The death rate, which measures the number of deaths per 1000 people each year, has generally fallen over time, reflecting the country's progress in public health and overall living standards.

Improved living conditions, better access to education, and advancements in healthcare have led to an increase in life expectancy in India.

This population pyramid is a simple way to show the ages and genders of people in India in 2024.

It tells us that India has a very young population, with more than 40% of people under 25 years old.

Having so many young people means there will be large workforce in the future, which can help with the country to grow and develop.

More workers can mean more businesses, better technology and a stronger economy.

However, it also creates challenges because there needs to be enough schools, jobs, and healthcare for everyone.

If India manages this well, it can turn its young population into a big advantage for the country's future.

India's young population helps keep death rates low because there are fewer older people, who are more likely to get sick and pass away.

Better healthcare, food and living conditions also mean that young people stay healthier for longer.

At the same time, a larger population of young people between the ages of 15 and 34 are having children, which leads to high birth rates and a fast growing population.

This growth means that India has a big workforce and a lot of young people who can help the country develop.

However, it also creates challenges, such as the need for more schools, hospitals, jobs, and homes to support the growing number of people.

The government and communities need to plan carefully to make sure there are enough resources for everyone.

I would like you to construct a line graph to show how the population of India has changed over time.

I would also like you to describe how India's population has changed over time and list some of the reasons for this change.

I would like you to make sure that you mention birth rate and death rate in your answer.

Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Let's check our answers.

Your line graph should look a bit like the one on the screen, and your description should sound a bit like this.

India's population increased by around one billion people between 1963 and 2023.

This is because of factors such as high birth rate, falling death rate and India having a young population.

Well done if you managed to complete this task.

You've done brilliantly.

We're now going to explore our second question of today's lesson.

Where do people live in India? Population density is a measure of how many people live in a specific area.

This is usually illustrated as the number of people per square kilometre.

It varies greatly across different regions of the world, and it's influenced by both physical and human factors.

Areas with abundant natural resources, like fertile land and favourable climates, tend to have higher population densities because they can support larger communities.

Similarly, urban centres with strong economies, job opportunities and developed infrastructure attract large populations, leading to densely populated cities.

In contrast, regions with harsh climates, difficult terrain or limited resources, such as deserts or mountainous areas, often have lower population densities.

Understanding population densities helps governments and planners make informed decisions about infrastructure, services and resource distribution.

If we take a closer look at this map, it is a choropleth map showing population density across the world.

Izzy has noted that India has a high population density.

Population density varies significantly across different countries and regions.

In the UK, there are an average of 280 people per square kilometre, meaning that the population is relatively concentrated, especially in urban areas like London.

In India, the population density is even higher at 479 people per square kilometre, reflecting its large population and the heavy concentration of people in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi.

Meanwhile, Australia has one of the lowest population densities with just three people per square kilometre.

To visualise this, one square kilometre is approximately the size of 150 football pitches, highlighting the difference in how people are spread across the land in each of these countries.

This map shows the human footprint across different areas, helping us understand how human activities affect different regions.

The human footprint measures the impact of people on the environment, considering factors such as population density, urbanisation and resource usage.

Areas with a high human footprint usually have a larger population, meaning more people live and work there.

This leads to greater environmental and social changes as more land is used for housing, businesses, transportation and industries.

These regions are often big cities or areas with high industrial activity where the demand for land, water, energy, and other natural resources is much greater.

In contrast, rural areas or places with fewer people generally have a lower footprint.

These areas tend to have less urban development, more open land and a greater focus on farming or natural landscapes.

However, even these regions can be impacted by human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, and infrastructure projects like roads and dams. Understanding the human footprint helps us to see how people interact with the environment and why it is important to manage resources carefully.

If the human footprint grows too large without proper planning, it can lead to problems, like pollution, loss of natural habitats and overcrowding.

By studying these patterns, we can work towards sustainable development, ensuring a balance between human needs and the health of the planet.

Is the human footprint the same everywhere in India? Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

Population distribution refers to how people are spread across a country.

While India has a very large population, it is not evenly distributed across the country.

Some areas, especially big cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, have very high population densities, meaning millions of people live in relatively small spaces.

These urban centres attract people because they offer better job opportunities, education, healthcare and infrastructure, making them desirable places to live.

In contrast, rural areas, mountainous regions like the Himalayas and deserts such as the Thar Desert have much lower population densities.

These places may have harsh climates, fewer job opportunities or limited access to essential resources like water and fertile land, making them less suitable for large populations.

However, many rural areas still have significant populations due to agriculture, which remains an important part of India's economy.

The uneven distribution of people across India is influenced by geography, climate, natural resources, and economic opportunities.

Coastal regions and river valleys, such as those around the Ganges River, tend to have higher population densities because they provide fertile land for farming, fresh water, and better transport links.

Meanwhile, remote villages in hilly or desert regions have fewer people, as the environment makes daily life more challenging.

Understanding population distribution is important for city planning, transportation and resource management.

As India's population continues to grow, managing housing, water supply, education, and healthcare in both crowded cities and sparsely populated rural areas remains a key challenge.

By studying how people are distributed, the government can make better decisions about where to build infrastructure and how to improve living conditions across the country.

Why do you think there are more people living in some areas than others? Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Well done.

The reason for this is due to geography, climate, natural resources and economic opportunities.

Well done.

Urban areas are more densely populated because they offer better job opportunities, education, healthcare and infrastructure, attracting a large number of people.

Cities like Bengaluru are a major urban centre in southern India and they have high population density due to their booming industries, modern facilities, and economic opportunities.

In contrast, rural areas are more sparsely populated, meaning fewer people live in larger space.

This is often due to fewer job opportunities, limited infrastructure and reliance on agriculture.

For example, a village in Uttarakhand, a state in northern India, may have a much smaller population compared to a city because of its hilly terrain, fewer industries, and more traditional way of life.

The difference between urban and rural population density is influenced by factors like geography, climate, and economic opportunities shaping how and where people choose to live.

Physical factors affect where people live in India and the population density of different areas.

Why might these areas be more sparsely populated? I would like you to think about what you know about the physical geography of India.

Pause the video here whilst you have a think, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

The reason why these areas are sparsely populated is because they're areas where there are desert and mountains.

The Thar Desert in India experiences an extremely hot and dry climate, creating significant challenges for human settlement, agriculture and livestock rearing.

The region's arid and infertile soil makes it difficult to grow crops, while the scarcity of natural resources, such as water and wood, further limits development.

Due to the harsh environmental conditions, access to food, clean water, and essential building materials is restricted, making daily life in the desert particularly difficult.

As a result, the Thar Desert has a relatively low population density compared to other parts of India, with most settlements relying on traditional water conservation methods and livestock-based livelihoods to survive.

The Himalayan region in northern India is characterised by high altitudes and very cold winters, which makes it difficult for people to live there.

The harsh climate and extreme temperatures pose challenges for survival, while the mountainous terrain makes transportation and development of infrastructure difficult.

This results in fewer people settling in the region and limits economic activities compared to other parts of the country.

Additionally, accessibility to basic services like healthcare, education and utilities can be limited due to the challenging geography.

Which of the following might lead to an area being more sparsely populated? I would like you to select two answers.

Is it a, good transport links, b, harsh climate, c, mountainous terrain, d, plentiful natural resources? Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answers are b, harsh climate, and c, mountainous terrain.

Well done if you identified those correctly.

Which of the following would encourage a dense population? Again, select two answers.

Is it a, areas with good conditions for growing crops, b, areas with very little rainfall, c, areas that are easy to access, or d, areas with a mountainous terrain? Pause the video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

The answers are a, areas with good conditions for growing crops, and c, areas that are easy to access.

Excellent work on this task.

You've done brilliantly.

India is home to many cities with extremely high population densities.

The red dots on the map indicate the location of these major cities, with larger dots representing cities with larger populations.

Some of India's larger cities include Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi.

These cities are important economic, cultural, and political centres, attracting people from rural areas in search of better job opportunities and living conditions, contributing to the rapid population growth.

However, high population densities in these cities also lead to challenges like overcrowding, pollution, and pressure on infrastructure.

Human factors such as good opportunities, good transport links and better services attract people to cities.

Bengaluru, located in the south of India, is a prime example.

It is one of the largest cities in India and a major hub for various industries, particularly the information technology sector.

This city's thriving economy, along with its modern infrastructure and opportunities for skilled workers, makes an attractive destination for people seeking either better employment or living standards.

Bengaluru is one of the fastest growing cities in India, attracting people from all over the country due to its thriving economy and numerous opportunities.

The city is a major hub for information technology with many global and Indian tech companies based there providing high paying jobs and career growth prospects.

In addition to employment opportunities, Bengaluru is home to several prestigious universities and research institutions, making it a popular destination for students seeking quality education.

The city's modern infrastructure, vibrant culture, and relatively pleasant climate also makes an appealing place to live for both young professionals and families.

However, rapid urbanisation has also led to challenges such as traffic congestion, rising living costs, and increased pressure on housing and public services.

True or false? Poor transportation links can encourage a high population density.

Pause the video here whilst you decide if this statement is either true or false, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Excellent.

This statement is false.

I would now like you to explain why this statement is false.

Pause video here and press play when you're ready to check your answers.

Fantastic.

The reason why this statement is false is because poor transportation links lead to low population density because it is more difficult to access jobs and services.

This makes an area less attractive for people to live and work.

Well done if you managed to explain that correctly.

You've done brilliantly.

I would now like you to complete the text to explain why India's population is not evenly distributed across the country.

Use the keywords at the bottom to help you fill in this word fill.

Pause video here whilst you attempt this task, and press play when you're ready to continue.

Fantastic.

Let's check our answers.

Your text should read like this.

"Physical factors affect population distribution in India.

The Thar Desert in the northwest of India is more sparsely populated.

The hot and dry climate here makes it difficult for people to live, grow crops and keep animals.

Fewer people live in the far north of India because of the harsh climate and mountainous terrain, which makes it less accessible.

Cities such as Bengaluru are more densely populated because of human factors such as job opportunities, good transport links and better services." Well done on this task.

You've done absolutely brilliantly.

We've now come to the end of our learning in the population of India.

Before we finish this lesson, let's summarise everything that we've learned in today's lesson.

India's population, which exceeds 1.

4 billion people, is the largest in the world, surpassing China in 2023.

The country has a high average population density of 479 people per square kilometre, reflecting the large number of people living in a relatively small area.

However, India's population is not spread evenly across the country.

Some regions are densely populated, while others are sparsely inhabited.

This uneven distribution is influenced by various physical factors such as climate, terrain and access to natural resources, as well as human factors like economic opportunities, urbanisation and historical development.

For example, fertile regions support larger populations due to agriculture, while harsh areas such as the Thar Desert are sparsely populated due to limited water and harsh living conditions.

Major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi attract large numbers of people due to better job opportunities and infrastructure.

This further contributes to the concentration of people in a specific area.

Well done on today's lesson.

You've done fantastically.

I hope you enjoyed your learning.

I look forward to learning with you again very soon.