Notes on Distribution of Population of India by Density

Population density provides a better picture of uneven distribution.

  • Population density is defined as the number of persons living per unit area.

i. India is one of the most densely populated countries of the world.

ii. Bangladesh and Japan have higher average population densities than India.

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iii. The population densities of these countries are:

India: 324

Bangladesh: 1007

Japan: 348

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Average population density of India in the year 2001 was 324 persons per s km.

iv. It varies from 904 persons per s km in West Bengal to only 13 persons per s km in Arunachal Pradesh.

Uneven distribution of Population densities at the state level.

1. Sparse Population States:

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States with population density below 250 persons per s km. have sparse population

a. The reasons for sparse population in these states are:

i. Rugged terrain

ii. Unfavourable climatic conditions

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b. States with density below 100 persons per s km are:

i. Jammu and Kashmir

ii. Sikkim

iii. Arunachal Pradesh

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iv. Mizoram.

2. Moderate Population States:

i. State with population density ranging between 250 and 500 persons per s km are moderately inhabited states.

ii. The following factors responsible for moderate population in these states are:

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iii. Hilly, dissected and rocky terrain

· Moderate to low rainfall

· Shallow and less fertile soils.

iv. States induced in this category are:

  • Assam, Jharkhand
  • Tripura
  • Gujarat, Maharashtra
  • Karnataka
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Punjab
  • Haryana.

3. Dense Population States:

States with more than 500 persons per s km density.

Reasons for thick population are:

Flat plains with fertile soils.

Abundant rainfall.

i. Thickly populated states are:

  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Bihar
  • West Bengal
  • Kerala.

ii. States with population density below 250 persons per sq. km are:

  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Uttaranchal
  • Rajasthan
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Chhattisgarh
  • Orissa
  • Meghalaya
  • Nagaland
  • Manipur.