The population of India and China: official data and forecasts. Demographic Policy of China and India

The population of India and China is growing rapidly every year. At the moment, the number of people living in the Earth is about 7.2 billion. But, according to UN experts, by 2050 this figure could reach 9.6 billion.

Countries of the world with the largest population in 2016

Consider 10 countries, where the population is the highest in the world, as of 2016:

1. China - about 1.374 billion.
2. India - about 1.283 billion.
3. US $ 322.694 million
4. Indonesia - 252.164 million
5. Brazil - 205.521 million.
6. Pakistan - 192 million.
7. Nigeria - 173.615 million
8. Bangladesh - 159.753 million.
9. Russia - 146.544 million
10. Japan - 127.130 million

As can be seen from the list, the population of India and China is the most numerous and accounts for more than 36% of the world community. But, according to UN experts, the demographic picture by 2028 will change significantly. If now the leading position is occupied by China, then in 11-12 years the inhabitants of India will be more than in the Middle Kingdom.

A year later, in each of these countries, the number of people is projected to be within 1.45 billion. But the rate of demographic growth in China will begin to decline, while in India the population growth will continue until the 50s of this century.

What is the population density in China?

The population of China in 2016 is 1 374 440 000 people. 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. Approximately the same indicators for developed European countries, such as Poland, Portugal, France and Switzerland.

The population of India is 2016 less than in China, about 90 million, but its density is 2.5 times higher and equal to about 363 people per square kilometer.

If the territory of the PRC is not fully populated, why are there talk of overpopulation? Indeed, the average data can not reflect the whole essence of the problem. In China, there are regions where the population density per square kilometer is thousands, for example: in Hong Kong, this figure is 6,500 people, and in Macao - 21,000. What is the reason for this phenomenon? Actually, there are several of them:

• 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 not actually inhabited. In these provinces, which occupy about 50% of the entire territory of the republic, only 6% of the population live. Practically uninhabited are the mountains of Tibet and the Takla-Makan and Gobi Desert.

China's population in 2016 is concentrated in large numbers in the fertile regions of the country, which stretch in the North China Plain and near the major waterways - Zhujiang and Yangzi.

The largest megacities of China

Huge cities with a multimillion population are commonplace for the PRC. The largest metropolitan areas are:

• Shanghai. In this city there are 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 organizations of administrative management. In the metropolis there are about 21 million people.

To the cities with a million population are Harbin, Tianjin and Guangzhou.

The People of China

The bulk of the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire is Han (91.5% of the total population). Also, 55 national minorities live in China. The most numerous of them are:

• The Zhuan - 16 million.
• Manchus - 10 million.
• Tibetans - 5 million.

The small forehead population has no more than 3000 people.

The problem of food security

The population of India and China is the largest on the planet, because of which there is an acute problem of food security in these regions.

In the Middle Kingdom, the amount of arable land is about 8% of the total territory. At the same time certain areas of the land are polluted with waste and unfit for cultivation. Within the country itself, the food problem can not be solved because of the enormous shortage of food. Therefore, Chinese investors are massively buying the production of agricultural and food activities, as well as leasing fertile land in other countries (Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan).

The leadership of the republic is directly involved in solving the problem. Only in 2013, about $ 12 billion was invested to purchase food industry enterprises around the world.

The population of India in 2016 exceeded 1.2 billion, and the average density increased to 363 people per 1 square kilometer. Such indicators significantly increase the burden on cropland. It is extremely difficult to provide so many people with food, and every year the problem is aggravated. A large number of the population of India lives below the poverty line, the state has to conduct a demographic policy in order to somehow influence the current situation. Attempts to halt the rapid growth of the population were introduced from the middle of the last century.

The demographic policy of China and India is aimed at regulating the increase in the number of inhabitants of these countries.

Features of demographic policy in China

Overpopulation of China and the constant threat of the product and economic crisis cause the government to take decisive measures to prevent such situations. For this purpose, a plan was developed to limit the birth rate. The incentive system was introduced if only 1 child grew up in the family, and those who wanted to afford 2-3 children had to pay imposing fines. Not all residents of the country could afford such a luxury. Although the innovation was not extended to national minorities . They were allowed to have two, and sometimes three children.

The number of men in China prevails over the number of women, 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" has led to negative consequences. To date, China is aging the nation, that is, people over 65 years of age is about 8%, with a rate of 7%. Since there is no pension system in the state, the care of the elderly is borne by the shoulders of their children. It is especially difficult for elderly 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. There are about 120 males per 100 females. The reasons for this problem are caused by the possibility to determine the sex of the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy and numerous abortions. According to statistics, it is expected that in 3-4 years the number of bachelors in the country will reach 25 million.

Demographic Policy in India

Over the last century, the population of China and India has grown at times, which is why the problem of family planning in these countries was taken up at the state level. Initially, the demographic policy program included birth control to strengthen the well-being of families. Among the many developing countries, India was one of the first to address this issue. The program began to operate since 1951. To control the birth rate, contraceptive methods and sterilization were used, which was carried out voluntarily. Men who agreed to such an operation were encouraged by the state, receiving a monetary reward.

The male population predominates over the female population. Since the program was ineffective, in 1976 it was tightened. Men who had two or more children were subjected to forced sterilization.

In the 50 years of the last century in India, women were allowed to marry from the age of 15, and men from 22 years. In 1978, this rate was increased to 18 and 23 years, respectively.

In 1986, having learned the experience of China, India established a norm of no more than 2 children per family.

In 2000, significant changes were made in the demographic policy. The main focus is on promoting the improvement of the family's living conditions by reducing the number of children.

India. Large megacities and nationalities

In large cities of the country, almost a third of the total population of India resides. The largest megacities are:

• Bombay (15 million).
• Calcutta (13 million).
• Delhi (11 million).
• Madras (6 million).

India is a multinational country, there are more than 2000 different peoples and ethnic groups. The most numerous are:

• Hindustans;
• Bengalis;
• Marathi;
• Tamil and many others.

To small nations include:

• Naga;
• Manipi;
• Garo;
• Miso;
• Tippers.

About 7% of the inhabitants of the country belong to backward tribes, leading a virtually primitive lifestyle.

Why is the demographic policy of India less successful than in China?

The socio-economic characteristics of India and China differ significantly from each other. This is the reason for the failed demographic policy of the Hindus. Consider the main factors, due to which it is not possible to significantly affect the population growth:

1. A third of the inhabitants of India are considered poor.
2. The level of education in the country is very low.
3. Observance of various religious dogmas.
4. Early marriages according to a thousand-year tradition.

The most interesting thing is that in the state of Keral, the rate of population growth is the lowest in the country. The same region is considered the most educated. Literacy of people is 91%. For every woman in the country there are 5 children each, while there are less than two children in Kerala.

According to experts, within two years the population of India and China will be approximately the same.