5 Percent of Indian Population: A Closer Look
India, with a population of over 1.37 billion, is the second-most populous country in the world. The vast and diverse population of India is a significant contributor to the country's growth and development. In this article, we will delve into the statistics and significance of 5 percent of the Indian population.
Who are the 5 percent of Indian population?
Five percent of the Indian population translates to around 68.5 million people. This is a significant number, equivalent to the entire population of a country like Thailand or Turkey. To put this number into perspective, 5 percent of the Indian population is roughly the population of the state of Andhra Pradesh or the combined population of the states of Punjab and Haryana.
Occupations and Industries
This 5 percent of the Indian population is spread across various occupations and industries. According to the National Sample Survey (NSS) 2011-12, the distribution of the population across different occupations is as follows:
- Service Sector: 23.1% (around 15.8 million people) are employed in the service sector, which includes jobs in software, IT, finance, healthcare, and education.
- Agriculture and Allied Activities: 21.2% (around 14.5 million people) are engaged in agriculture and allied activities, such as farming, livestock, and forestry.
- Manufacturing and Construction: 20.5% (around 14 million people) are employed in the manufacturing and construction sector, which includes jobs in textiles, steel, and infrastructure development.
- Trade and Commerce: 15.2% (around 10.4 million people) are engaged in trade and commerce, including retail and wholesale trade.
Education and Skills
The 5 percent of the Indian population also differs in terms of education and skills. According to the NSS 2011-12, around:
- 35.6% (around 24.4 million people) have a graduate degree or higher.
- 24.4% (around 16.7 million people) have a secondary education.
- 20.5% (around 14 million people) have a primary education.
- 19.5% (around 13.3 million people) are illiterate.
Geographical Distribution
The 5 percent of the Indian population is spread across urban and rural areas, with a slightly higher concentration in urban areas. According to the Census 2011, around:
- 53.8% (around 36.7 million people) live in urban areas.
- 46.2% (around 31.8 million people) live in rural areas.
Conclusion
The 5 percent of the Indian population represents a diverse group of people with varying occupations, education, and skills. This group is crucial for the growth and development of the country, and their contributions to the economy, healthcare, education, and other sectors are significant. Understanding the demographics and characteristics of this group can help policymakers and stakeholders to design and implement targeted policies and initiatives to support their growth and development.
