Phase of declining growth
Also called: Phase IV (post-1981) · Topic: Population of India: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 1 "Population: Distribution, Density, Growth and Composition"
Meaning
The phase of declining growth is the fourth phase of India's population growth. It began after 1981. Growth is still positive, but it gets slower with each census. The main reason is a falling crude birth rate (births per 1,000 people in a year). Behind this lie later marriage, better living standards and more education for girls and women. The NCERT text says growth is "steadily increasing", but its own Table 1.1 shows growth falling since 1971-81.
Example
India grew by 21.54% in 1991-2001 and by only 17.64% in 2001-11. Almost every state slowed down in 2001-11. Maharashtra, in western India, slowed the most (6.7 points).
Don't confuse with
- Population explosion phase (1951-81): in that phase growth was at its highest, with a peak of 24.80% in 1961-71. Deaths fell fast while births stayed high. In the declining phase, births are falling too.
Related concepts
- Population growth
- Decadal growth rate
- Stagnant phase of population growth
- Steady growth phase
- Population explosion phase