Human Resources:(Geography)

Introduction to Human Resources:

These notes of  Chapter 5: Human Resources are complete, exam-focused and easy to revise. Draw neat diagrams of population pyramid, world map showing dense/sparse areas) and labelled tables wherever possible to score full marks in Social Science! All the best for your exams!

1. Meaning of Human Resource

• People are a nation’s greatest resource.
• Nature’s bounty (land, water, minerals) becomes useful only with human knowledge, skill and technology.
• Human resource refers to the number (quantity) and abilities (mental and physical – quality) of the people.
• Unlike other resources, human resource can be developed further through education, training and health care.

2. Population – A Human Resource

• Every person is a potential asset.
• A large population can be turned into a productive asset by investment in human capital (education, health, skill training).
• Japan and Singapore are examples of countries with limited natural resources but highly skilled and educated people → became economically developed.

3. Factors Affecting Distribution of Population

The way people are spread across the earth is called population distribution. It is uneven.

A. Geographical Factors that attract population (favourable conditions):

1. Fertile plains (Ganga plains, Nile valley) → good for agriculture.
2. Availability of water (rivers, lakes).
3. Moderate/temperate climate.
4. Flat land → easy for construction of houses, roads, industries.
5. Availability of minerals and energy resources → industrial areas.
6. Better job opportunities, education and health facilities (cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru).

B. Factors that repel population (unfavourable conditions):

1. Extreme climates – too hot (Thar desert), too cold (Himalayas, Antarctica).
2. Heavy rainfall areas (Cherrapunji, Amazon forests).
3. Mountainous and rocky areas – difficult to build houses and roads.
4. Dense forests, deserts, marshy lands.

4. Density of Population

• Number of people living per unit area (usually per square kilometre).
• Formula: Population Density=Total PopulationTotal Land Area (in sq km)\text{Population Density} = \frac{\text{Total Population}}{\text{Total Land Area (in sq km)}}Population Density=Total Land Area (in sq km)Total Population​
• World average density (2023–24): about 60 persons per sq km.
• India’s density (2011 census): 382 persons per sq km → increased to around 470–480 now.
• Highest density states: Bihar, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala.
• Lowest: Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim.

5. Population Change

Population keeps changing due to three factors:

1. Births (Natality)
2. Deaths (Mortality)
3. Migration

• Birth rate – number of live births per 1000 people in a year.
• Death rate – number of deaths per 1000 people in a year.
• Natural growth rate = Birth rate – Death rate.
• When migration is added/subtracted → total population change.

6. Population Composition

How the population of a country/area is made up:

A. Age structure

• Children (0–14 years) – dependent population
• Working age (15–59 years) – economically active
• Aged (60+ years) – dependent population
• A large proportion of working-age people is good for economy (demographic dividend – India is experiencing this now).

B. Sex ratio

• Number of females per 1000 males.
• India’s sex ratio (2011): 943 females per 1000 males → slightly improved now.
• Kerala, Puducherry – favourable sex ratio.
• Haryana, Punjab – low sex ratio (female foeticide, neglect of girl child).

C. Literacy rate

• Percentage of people (age 7 and above) who can read and write with understanding.
• India’s literacy rate (2011): 74% → now around 80%.
• Kerala – highest (>94%), Bihar – lowest.

D. Occupational structure

• Primary activities: agriculture, fishing, mining.
• Secondary: manufacturing, construction.
• Tertiary: services, transport, banking, IT.
• Developed countries → most people in secondary & tertiary.
• Developing countries like India → majority still in primary (agriculture).

7. Population Pyramid (Age-Sex Pyramid)

• Graphical representation showing age and sex composition.
• Broad base → high birth rate (developing countries.
• Narrow base, bulging middle → low birth rate, ageing population (Japan, Europe).
• India’s pyramid: broad base, tapering top → youthful population.

8. Human Resource Development

• Making people productive assets through:
  1. Education – schools, colleges, vocational training.
  2. Health care – hospitals, vaccination, nutrition, clean water.
  3. Skill training – ITIs, polytechnics, on-job training.
  4. Equal opportunities for women and marginalised groups.

Government programmes in India:

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan → Mid-day Meal → Samagra Shiksha
• National Health Mission (NHM)
• Skill India, Start-up India, Make in India
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

9. Advantages of a Large and Young Population (India’s Demographic Dividend)

• Large working-age group → more workers → higher production.
• More entrepreneurs, innovators, taxpayers.
• Huge domestic market (consumers).
• If properly educated and skilled, India can become economic superpower by 2047.

10. Challenges of Large Population

• Pressure on resources – food, water, housing, schools, hospitals.
• Unemployment and under-employment.
• Strain on infrastructure (roads, electricity, transport).
• Environmental degradation and pollution.

Key Facts & Figures to Remember

• World population (2025): ≈ 8.2 billion
• India’s population (2025 estimate): ≈ 1.45 billion (largest in world now).
• India overtook China in 2023 as the most populous country.
• Top 3 populous countries: India > China > USA.
• Most densely populated country: Monaco; Bangladesh and India also high.
• Least densely populated: Mongolia, Namibia, Australia.

Important Questions (Exam-oriented)

1. Why are people considered the greatest resource?
2. Explain any four geographical factors affecting distribution of population.
3. Differentiate between sparse and dense population with examples.
4. How is population density calculated? Give India’s present density.
5. What is demographic dividend? Why is India said to enjoy it?
6. Draw and label a population pyramid for a developing country.
7. “Investment in human resource can turn population from liability into asset.” Explain.
8. Suggest measures to improve quality of population in India.

Quick Revision Table

Chapter 1: Crop Production and Management

 

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