India's big population challenge

Matthew Heyes / 27 Feb 12.30 / Population

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7261458.stm

This article begins with the discussion of the world’s population. It is expected to rise from 6 billion in 2000 to 9 billion in 2050 based on estimates from the United Nations Commission on Population and Development. China currently is the world’s most populated country with 1.3 billion but this is expected to level off due to the one child rule. India is second with 1.1 billion but this may reach 1.6 billion by 2050.

In 1947, when India became independent from British rule, average life expectancy was just 33 years. Improved living standards and healthcare have raised that figure to the mid-60s. At the same time birth rates have been falling. But the reduction has not been fast enough to prevent the overall population rising rapidly. And it is often the poorest families which have the most children.

A professor describes efforts to promote family planning as "a drop in the ocean" and goes on to explain the reasons to do with culture, religion and lack of education which have created a big divide between the high birth rate among India's poor families and the much lower birth rate for middle class women.

The article discusses the challenges that this population boom will have on India’s infrastructure. One of the biggest challenges will be the supply of water as agriculture uses most of India's fresh water it will need to dramatically increase production. Industrial pollution may even reduce the amount of fresh water available in 2050. A planning commission official argues that India can provide for the growing population providing that there is a systemic change in how we deal with resources which are becoming scarce.