The population of India and China is growing rapidly every year. At the moment, the number of people living on Earth is about 7.2 billion. But, as UN experts predict, by 2050 this figure could reach 9.6 billion.
The countries with the largest population by estimates of 2016
Consider the 10 countries where the population is the highest in the world, as of 2016:
- China - about 1.374 billion
- India - approximately 1.283 billion
- USA - 322.694 million
- Indonesia - 252.164 million
- Brazil - 205.521 million
- Pakistan - 192 million
- Nigeria - 173.615 million
- Bangladesh - 159.753 million
- Russia - 146.544 million
- Japan - 127.130 million
As can be seen from the list, the population of India and China is the largest and makes up more than 36% of the entire world community. But, according to UN experts, the demographic picture by 2028 will change significantly. If China is now the leader, then in 11-12 years there will be more Indians than in the Celestial Empire.
Within a year, the population is projected to be around 1.45 billion in each of these countries. But the rate of population growth in China will begin to decline, while in India population growth will continue until the 50s of this century.
What is the population density in China?
The population of China for 2016 is 1,374,440,000. Despite the large territory of the country, China is not densely populated. The settlement of the Chinese people is uneven due to a number of geographical features. The average population density per 1 square kilometer is 138 people. The developed countries of Europe, such as Poland, Portugal, France and Switzerland, have approximately the same indicators.
The population of India in 2016 is less than in China, by about 90 million, but its density is 2.5 times higher and equal to about 363 people per 1 square kilometer.
If the territory of the PRC is not completely populated, why is there talk of overpopulation? Indeed, average data cannot reflect the essence of the problem. In China, there are regions where the population density per 1 square kilometer is in the thousands, for example: in Hong Kong this figure is 6500 people, and in Macau - 21 000. What is the reason for this phenomenon? In fact, there are several:
- climatic conditions;
- geographical location of a territory;
- economic component of individual regions.
If we compare India and China, then the territory of the second state is much larger. But the western and northern parts of the country are practically not populated. In these provinces, which occupy about 50% of the entire territory of the republic, only 6% of the population lives. The mountains of Tibet and the deserts of Takla-Makan and Gobi are considered practically uninhabited.
The population of China for 2016 is concentrated in large numbers in the fertile regions of the country, which are located in the North China Plain and near large waterways - Pearl River and Yangtze.
The largest megacities of China
Huge cities with a multimillion population are commonplace for China. The largest megacities are:
- Shanghai. This city has 24 million inhabitants. It is here that the world's largest port is located.
- Beijing is the capital of China. Here is the government of the state and other administrative organizations. About 21 million people live in the metropolis.
Million-plus cities include Harbin, Tianjin and Guangzhou.
Peoples of China
The main part of the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire is the Han people (91.5% of the total population). Also, 55 national minorities live in China. The most numerous of them are:
- Zhuangs - 16 million
- Manchus - 10 million
- Tibetans - 5 million
Small forehead people have no more than 3,000 people.
Food Supply Issue
The population of India and China is the largest on the planet, which causes an acute problem of food supply in these regions.
In China, the amount of arable land is approximately 8% of the total territory. Moreover, certain areas of land are contaminated with waste and unsuitable for cultivation. Inside the country, the food problem cannot be solved due to the enormous shortage of food. Therefore, Chinese investors are massively buying up agricultural and food production, as well as renting fertile land in other countries (Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan).
The leadership of the republic is directly involved in solving the problem. In 2013 alone, about $ 12 billion was invested in the acquisition of food industry enterprises worldwide.
The population of India in 2016 exceeded 1.2 billion, and the average density grew to 363 people per 1 square kilometer. Such indicators significantly increase the load on cultivated land. It is extremely difficult to provide food to such a mass of people, and every year the problem is exacerbated. A large number of the population of India lives below the poverty line, the state has to pursue a demographic policy in order to somehow influence the current situation. Attempts to stop the rapid population growth have been introduced since the middle of the last century.
The demographic policy of China and India is aimed at regulating the population growth in these countries.
Features of demographic policy in China
The overpopulation of China and the constant threat of a food and economic crisis are forcing the government to take decisive measures to prevent such situations. For this, a birth control plan was developed. An incentive system was introduced if only 1 child grew up in a family, and those who wanted to afford 2-3 children had to pay impressive fines. Not all residents of the country could afford such a luxury. Although the innovation was not applied to national minorities . They were allowed to have two, and sometimes three, children.
The number of men in China prevails over the female population, so the birth of girls is welcome.
Despite all the measures taken by the state, the problem of overpopulation remains unresolved.
The introduction of a demographic policy under the slogan "One family - one child" led to negative consequences. Today in China there is an aging nation, that is, people over 65 account for about 8%, with a norm of 7%. Since there is no pension system in the state, care for the elderly lies on the shoulders of their children. It is especially difficult for older people who live with children with disabilities or do not have them at all.
Another major problem in China is gender imbalance. Over the years, the number of boys exceeds the number of girls. For 100 female representatives, there are about 120 men. The causes of this problem are caused by the ability to determine the sex of the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy and numerous abortions. According to statistics, it is estimated that in 3-4 years the number of single people in the country will reach 25 million.
Demographic Policy in India
Over the past century, the population of China and India has grown significantly, which is why the problem of family planning in these countries was addressed at the state level. Initially, the population policy program included birth control to strengthen family welfare. Among the many developing countries, India was one of the first to address this issue. The program began to operate in 1951. To control fertility, methods of contraception and sterilization were applied, which was carried out voluntarily. Men who agreed to such an operation were encouraged by the state, receiving monetary rewards.
The male population in number prevails over the female. Since the program was ineffective, in 1976 it was tightened. Men who had two children or more were subjected to forced sterilization.
In the 50s of the last century, women were allowed to marry in India from the age of 15, and men from the age of 22. In 1978, this norm was increased to 18 and 23 years, respectively.
In 1986, drawing on the experience of China, the norm is set in India for no more than 2 children per family.
In 2000, significant changes were made in population policy. The main guideline is to promote the improvement of family living conditions by reducing the number of children.
India. Major megacities and nationalities
Almost a third of the total population of India lives in large cities of the country. The largest megacities are:
- Bombay (15 million).
- Calcutta (13 million).
- Delhi (11 million).
- Madras (6 million).
India is a multinational country with over 2,000 different peoples and ethnic groups living here. The most numerous are:
- Hindustanis;
- Bengalis
- Marathi;
- Tamils and many others.
The small nations include:
- naga;
- Manipuri
- Garo
- miso;
- tiper.
About 7% of the country's inhabitants are backward tribes, leading almost primitive ways of life.
Why is India’s demographic policy less successful than China?
The socio-economic characteristics of India and China are significantly different from each other. This is the reason for the failed demographic policy of the Indians. Consider the main factors because of which it is not possible to significantly affect population growth:
- A third of the inhabitants of India are considered poor.
- The level of education in the country is very low.
- Observance of various religious dogmas.
- Early marriages according to millennia-old traditions.
Most interestingly, in Kerala, the population growth rate is the lowest in the country. The same region is considered the most educated. Literacy of people is 91%. There are 5 children for every woman in the country, while less than two for Kerala women.
According to experts, within 2 years the population of India and China will be approximately the same.