An increase in the number of people that reside in a country, state, city or village during a certain time period is called population growth.
The population growth in a region is the result of following factors:
1. Availability of geographical conditions favorable to human life.
2. A regular supply of foodstuffs.
3. Minimum frequency of natural disasters.
Besides, in general, population growth is also a result of birth – rate, death – rate and migration. Proper balance of birth rate and death rate or its equal value keeps the population stable. If birth rate is increasing and death rate is decreasing, then population increases, otherwise it decreases. The condition of migration also impacts the population.
The trend of population growth in Rajasthan is shown in the table given below: Rajasthan – Population Growth:
From above data, it is clear that in the decade 1911 – 21, a decrease in population was recorded. Main causes of this decrease were drought and the outbreak of epidemic. After 1991, the population growth rate is decreasing because of the success of the family welfare programs. This is an indicator of the economic development of the state.
The period of population growth in Rajasthan is divided into 3 parts:
1. Slow population growth period (1901 – 1941): Due to droughts, outbreak of epidemic and lack of health – related facilities, slow population growth was seen.
2. Medium Population Growth Period (1941 – 1971): During this period, death rate was less in proportion to birth rate. Main reasons were development of irrigated land, economic development and the availability of health – related facilities.
3. Rapid Population Growth Period (After 1971): During this time period, population increased rapidly due to notable decrease in death rate and stability of birth rate. Death rate decreased due to economic progress and the betterment of health – related facilities. But due to some social evils like child marriage, superstition and backwardness, birth rate could not be reduced as estimated.
In 2013, birth rate was 25.6 per 1000, while death rate decreased and remained at 6.5 per 1000, and because all of these reasons population increased rapidly. In the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Jalore, population growth rate was more than 26 per 1000. In the districts of Sri Ganganagar, Jhunjhunu, Pali and Bundi, population growth rate was less than 16 per thousand, and in the remaining districts, it was between 16 to 26 per thousand.
