1. Meaning: By demographic factors, we mean the factors that determine the numbers, composition, selection and the hereditary quality of successive generations.
II. Explanation of Demographic Factors of Social Charge:
(i) Change in Population (in number as well as in its composition):
(a) Changes in population, both in numbers and composition, have a far-reaching effect on society. When population increases or decreases, size and composition of a population changes.
(b) Change in the size of a population may bring about a change in the economic life of the people, which may further bring about a change in various other aspects of humanity like social, cultural and political.
(c) The swift and steady decline of both birth rate and death rate has led to tremendous social transformation. With improved sanitary conditions and medical facilities. India has experienced a dramatic increase in the sphere of population. This phenomenal increase in population has, in turn, given rise to a variety of social problems like unemployment, child labour, growth of slums, increased crime rate and social tensions.
(d) Decline in death rate has led to increased population growth to a century ago. Additionally, availability of better medical facilities has enabled them to be active till old age. This has brought about a perceptible (visible) change in social attitudes and beliefs.
(ii) Population and Standard of living:
(a) When the growth of population threatens the standard of living, it inspires a change in attitude. People are more open and accept the use of contraceptives, one child family norm and in some cases couples decide to adopt a child.
(b) Had we witnessed a corresponding decline in the birth rate, it would have meant a higher standard of living, the emancipation of women from child bearing drudgery, better care for the young and perhaps a healthier society. Of course, then, fewer young people would enter the workforce to support an ageing population.
(iii) Population and level of physical health of the people: There is also a close relationship between the growth of population and the level of physical health and vitality of the people. On the increase in the number of mouths to feed, there is chronic malnutrition and other related diseases. These further lead to physical lethargy, incompetence, apathy and lack of enterprise. All these affect the quality of the population and the social structure and social institutions.
(iv) In Indian's context Growth of Population and Problems: In the Indian context, we notice that an increase in population has resulted in an increase in unemployment, in poverty, in urbanisation, in the number of slums, and an increase in the burden on infrastructural facilities. These, in turn, have resulted in the absence of adequate facilities, rise in nuclear families and, over time, have altered social relationships in a perceptible manner.
