Page 184 - SST Class 08

Causes of Unfavorable Sex Ratio in India 0-14 years (about 37 percent) and less in 65+

g Preferential treatment is given to a male age group (about 4-8 percent). The high-income
child and female children get neglected in countries, have high percentage of aged people
most Indian homes. and only 35-40 percent children.
g The infant mortality rate in India is high and Though, the share of working population in the
female infant mortality rate is even higher. age group 15-64 years is always greater than the
other two age groups, yet is comparatively higher
g People go through pre-natal sex determina-
in developing countries than the developed ones.
tion test. In case of a girl, they abort the
The developed countries as already stated have
child.
more people in old age group. Further, determi-
g Women generally have lower social, political
nation of age structure of the population helps
and economic status in Indian society.
the countries to plan the population, economic
g We find dowry deaths, opposition to widow and educational policies. If there are more
remarriage and low nutrition level in Indian number of children, they will comprise the future
women.
workforce for the country. If there are less chil-
g Lack of social awareness programs among dren and more aged, it will mean the country will
people especially in rural villages. face labour shortage in future.

Effects of Unfavourable Sex Ratio The age composition of population in 2000 is
1. Cultural Gap : Unfavourable sex ratio acts given below :
as a deterrent in cultural and educational Age composition of Population, 2000
development. Predominance of one sex
Region/Country Age Group (%) All Age
over the other does not contribute to educa-
Group (%)
tional and social achievements.
2. Migration : Predominance of male popula- 0-14 15-64 65+
tion leads to increased migration to towns India 34 67 5 100
and cities and even out of country. Low Income 37 59 4 100
3. Sick Social Attitudes : Unfavourable sex Countries
ratio leads to sick social attitudes and affects
Middle Income 27 66 7 100
working population as well.
Countries
Age Structure
High Income 18 67 15 100
Age is an essential attribute of population to
Countries
determine occupation structure, literacy level,
population growth and other similar attributes. At global level, younger age groups are found
Globally, three types of age structure are identi- more among low and middle income group
fied — 0-14 year age grouped, 15-64 year and countries. The implication of this age composi-
65+ age grouped. If one were to compare this tion for India are the following :
age structure between low and high income g Having a sizeable number of persons in
countries, one can easily find that there exists a younger age group, it will have to plan for
pattern. Low income countries, one can easily education, health and other services on a
find that there exists a pattern. Low income very vast scale.
countries have more children in the age group g Its working age group will continue to be on

Social Science-8 184