San Marino and vatican City in Europe are landlocked by a single country. The
continents of North America and Australia don’t have landlocked countries.
Rest of the continents: Asia, Africa, South America and Europe all have
some landlocked countries. Europe has the largest number of landlocked
countries (17) followed by Africa (16), Asia (10) and South America (2).
Continent of Africa: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African
Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, South
Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Continent of Asia: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos,
Mongolia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Continent of Europe: Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus,
Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia,
Moldova, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Vatican City.
Continent of South America: Bolivia and Paraguay.
Problems of Landlocked Countries
Water in any form is an important natural resource. Oceans and seas are
boon to any country. Seas and oceans are huge treasures of wealth. They
contain various important resources as petrol, coal, limestone, gold, coral
and so on.
The countries having seas and oceans get many maritime advantages like
shipping, fishing, sea mining, sea oil drilling etc. Landlocked countries are
deprived of these facilities.
Comparatively, all the countries
having oceans and seas are far
more developed than the landlocked
countries. Landlocked countries are
in disadvantageous position.
Landlocked countries are deprived Nepal - Tibet Border
of sea-routes. Consequently, their
overseas trade and commerce can’t
develop well. They have to face many
problems in transit and seaports.
Sea transport is cheaper than road or air transport. Landlocked countries
can’t take advantage of such cheap sea transport. It makes export and
import of goods expensive.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 201
The landlocked countries often need to negotiate for transit rights to sea
through another country. Usually the landlocked countries have no other
choice than to accept what they are offered, and if there is some problem
in transit country, it
automatically affects
the landlocked
country’s international
trade and commerce.
Land border security Map of Nepal
is more difficult and
manpower demanding
than sea border.
Chances of border
encroachment, border
clashes, smuggling and
trafficking of things are
greater at land borders.
Solutions
Geographical situations are hard facts. They can’t be altered easily. Hence,
there is very little choice for the landlocked countries than to accept the
reality. However, the landlocked countries can take some measures to
minimize the inherent problems.
They should maintain good friendly relations with all the neighbouring
countries and ensure uninterrupted transit to the nearest seaports.
More importantly, they should make optimum use of their resources and
achieve self-sufficiency.
Points to Remember:
F A country surrounded by land, and whose boundaries are identified by
land features and not by seas is called a landlocked country.
F Nepal is one of the landlocked countries in the world.
F The nearest sea from Nepal is the Bay of Bengal which is about 500 km
away across Bangladesh.
F Europe has the largest number of landlocked countries (17) followed by
Africa (16), Asia (10) and South America (2).
F The countries having seas and oceans get many maritime advantages
like shipping, fishing, sea mining, sea oil drilling etc. But, the landlocked
countries are deprived of these facilities.
202 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Key Terms and Words:
• Drilling : breaking in, working out
• Consequently : therefor, thereupon
• Inherent : basic, built-in, deep seated
• Negotiate : bargaining, discussion
• Optimum : maximum
• Transit : transportation, crossing
• Uninterrupted : continuing, constant
Evaluation Activities
Very short answer questions:
1. What is meant by landlocked?
2. How many landlocked countries are there in Asia? Name four of
them.
3. Name any two landlocked countries from each continent.
4. Which are the countries landlocked by a single country?
5. How far is the nearest sea from Nepal?
6. Which continent has the highest number of land locked countries?
7. Which continent don't have landlocked countries?
Short answer questions:
1. What are the problems of landlocked countries? Write.
2. Though landlocked, some countries like Switzerland and Luxembourg
are very developed, why?
3. Usually the countries having borders as sea or ocean are more
developed than landlocked countries, why?
Community Based Work:
Imagine that there is no market in your place and you have to walk hours
to reach market. What problems would you face to go there? Write a few
paragraphs about it and also suggest its solutions.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 203
Lesson Contemporary
World Issues
3
Kerung Border is a new International Border
Source: [email protected]
China has agreed to recognise the newly opened border trading route as
international checkpoint between Nepal and Tibet – China with the objective
to develop the Rasuwagadi-Kerung border crossings as its international
access point to South Asia.
China granted the status of
international checkpoint following
intense efforts from Nepali side after
Tatopani, the major point between
Nepal and China, remained shut due
to extensive damage caused by the
devastating earthquake of April 25,
2015.
Organizing a press meet in Lhasa on 30 August 2017, a Tibet government
announced that the Rasuwagadi-Kerung border crossings, connecting Nepal
to China’s autonomous region, Tibet, have become international from today,
read a statement issued by Nepali Consulate General’s Office in Lhasa.
Assistant chairperson of Tibet government Luo Mei expressed her happiness
in declaring the border as international in the presence of Nepali consulate
general to Lhasa Govinda Bahadur Karki.
She hoped that the border point’s elevation to international status will
increase trade, tourism and people to people contact between the two
countries and it will also support in the implementation of the China’s One
Belt One Road (OBOR) Initiative.
Rasuwagadhi-Kerung, which began operations in December 2014, was the
largest second border point made available for trade after Tatopani. Earlier,
only the people from Nepal and China were allowed to enter each other’s
territory by carrying visa and passports.
204 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
The new decision has paved the way for people from third countries to move
across the border. Now the people from some other countries can go to
Sigatse and Lhasa through the border.
“Chinese government has attached high importance to this Rasuwagadi-
Kerung border crossing. This border is important for us as the Chinese
government is working to extend the railway line from Sigatse to Kerung,”
said Nepali consulate general to Lhasa Govinda Bahadur Karki.
Agreement between Government of Nepal and Government of
Japan
Source: ministry of finance, govt of Nepal
Government of Japan has agreed to provide approximately Rs. 257,000,000
(Japanese Yen 282,000,000) as grant assistance for the implementation of
the project for Human Resource Development Scholarship.
This Project aims to enhance the capacity of the government officials by
providing scholarship for the study of master degree programs in various
Japanese Universities. The scholarship program covers a wide range of
discipline in social science such as Economic Policy, International relation,
industrial Development Policy and Legal and Judicial System during the Project
period of five years. The grant will be utilized for covering the scholarship,
airfares and other relevant expenses related to selected officials during their
study in Japan. The Project will be implemented by Ministry of Finance in
coordination with JICA/JICE and other agencies /Stakeholders.
Under this program, 20 government officers will be selected for scholarship
every year beginning from 2016 for Masters Degree studies for the subjects
as per their specialization. The agreement confirms the scholarship for
20 more students in FY 2017. After the completion of the five year's JDS
(Japanese Grant Aid) program, Nepal will get highly qualified human capital
and mobilize it for the enhancement of the capacity of civil service in Nepal.
Dr. Shanta Raj Subedi, Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mr. Masashi
OGAWA, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal signed the Exchange of Notes
on 10 July 2017 in the Ministry of Finance on behalf of their respective
Governments.
Government of Nepal has expressed its sincere thanks to the Government
of Japan for the contribution in the socio-economic development of Nepal.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 205
Venus: First Environmental Research Satellite Launched by
Israel
Venus, the first Israeli satellite for
environment research was launched
on 2 August 2017 from the European
spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
The satellite is a joint effort by the Israel
Space Agency and the French Space
Agency (CNES). CNES (National Centre of
Space Agency) is the French government space agency. The satellite was
built in Israel Aerospace industries.
It is considered the smallest satellite of its kind in the world having the
weight of 265 Kg only. It is crafted to survey and monitor large area to study
soil, vegetation, forests, agriculture, water and air quality and other aspects
of the environment.
Jeison Aristizabal; CNN Hero of 2016
Jeison Aristizábal, who has spent the last 15 years
working to change perceptions about physical and
cognitive disabilities and give young people with
disabilities a brighter future, has been named the
2016 Hero of the Year.
Aristizabal, growing up in one of the poorest
areas in Cali, Colombia with cerebral palsy, has
fought his entire life to overcome the obstacles in his way. His organization
ASODISVALLE provides a range of free services that have helped transform
the lives of nearly 3,000 young people with disabilities.
While accepting his award, he stated via a translator, “I can’t believe it. Hello
to Colombia, hello to all the families who have a child with a disability. I
want to tell you that yes you can. You can dream and you can achieve your
dreams. I want to say hello to all of my CNN Heroes colleagues. God bless
you and there’s more work to do.”
Each of the Top 10 CNN Heroes will receive $10,000 in recognition of their
work. After winning the global vote, Aristizábal will receive an additional
$100,000 grant.
Additionally, for the first time viewers selected a Superhero from among five
previous Heroes of the Year. The winner Pushpa Basnet (2012) was awarded
$50,000 to continue her work with the Early Childhood Development Centre.
206 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Key Terms and Words:
recognise : accept, admit
devastating : highly destructive
elevation : the action of elevating, rise
spaceport : a base from which spacecraft are launched
cognitive : perceptional
cerebral palsy : a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination,
typically caused by damage to the brain before or at
birth
Points to Remember:
F Tibet government announced that the Rasuwagadi-Kerung border crossings,
connecting Nepal to China’s autonomous region, Tibet, have become
international border.
F Rasuwagadhi-Kerung, which began operations in December 2014, was the
largest second border point made available for trade after Tatopani.
F Human Resource Development Scholarship project aims to enhance the
capacity of the government officials by providing scholarship for the study of
master degree programs in various Japanese Universities.
F Venus, the first Israeli satellite for environment research was launched on 2
August 2017 from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana
Evaluation Activities
Answer these questions
1. What is the objective to declare the Rasuwagadi-Kerung border
crossing as an international border?
2. What is the aim of the project for Human Resource Development
Scholarship?
3. When was Venus, the first Israeli satellite for environment research
was launched? What are its features?
4. Who was declared as CNN Hero of 2016? Why was he awarded with
the title CNN Hero?
Community Based Work:
There might have some important events taken place in your community
recently. Find out them and write the effects of them in your community.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 207
UNIT
9
Introduction to
Population and
Demographic Condition
In this unit, we will learn the following:
• Population Education and Its Importance
• Sources of Population Statistics
• Factors Affecting Population Change
• Migration Status in Nepal
208 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Lesson Population Education &
Its Importance
1
Introduction: Population
Population means the total number
of people living in a certain place in a
certain time. It includes size, distribution,
composition, and change of population.
Population is dynamic in nature. It doesn’t
remain constant. It keeps changing. Birth,
death and migration cause population
change.
Population size tells us the total number of people. Different places have
different size of population. Population distribution means how the people
are dispersed over a particular place. It is related with density, and differs
according to the ecological belt. Composition of population is assorting of
population on the basis of age, sex, caste, religion, language, occupation
and socio-economic status. Population change means increase or decrease
in number.
Population is characterized by birth, death, migration, literacy, census,
density, life expectancy, growth, dependency group, sex ratio etc.
Introduction: Population Education
The educational process that focuses on population and its management
is called population education. UNESCO has defined it as, “Population
education is an education programme which provides for the study of
population situation in the family, community, nation and world with the
purpose of developing rational and responsible attitudes and behaviours
towards the situation”.
Population education, in fact, is an educational process, which leads to a
happy and prosperous life by providing the knowledge about population
growth and its impacts on family. It helps to enhance awareness among the
people to make logical and responsible decisions about population related
issues, behaviours and problems.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 209
Population education is equally important for school students. It helps
students to enhance their knowledge and understanding about the
population situation. It makes them understand their responsibility towards
maintaining quality of life.
Objectives of Population Education
The objectives of population education area:
• To provide essential knowledge, skill and values on population
• To provide essential information about the effects caused by
population activities
• To help people to have quality of life
• To aware people about the adverse effects of population growth
• To encourage people to plan family
• To keep people informed about population policies and programmes
• To achieve balance between population growth and available means
and resources
Scope of Population Education
Population education is multidimensional. It is related with each and every
aspect of the human life. Hence, its scope is very broad and is related
with many other disciplines or subjects: demography, determinants of
population change, consequences of population growth, human sexuality
and reproduction, and planning for future etc.
Demography: Demography is the scientific study of population in terms of
size, density, distribution, composition, sex ratio, dependency ratio, age
ratio or pyramid, growth, birth, death and migration. It analyzes, evaluates
and measures these things in mathematical and statistical order.
Determinants of Population Change: Birth, death and migration are the
main determinants of population change. However, it is dependent on
biological, socio-cultural, traditional, religious factors as well. Such factors
that either increase or decrease the family size or population.
Consequences of Population Growth: Rapid population growth is one of
the burning issues of the modern world. Such a phenomenon affects family,
society, nation and the environment in many ways. It degrades quality of life
and environment. There is a close relationship among population growth,
210 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
quality of life and environment. These issues also come within the scope of
the population education.
Human Sexuality and Reproduction: Human sexuality and reproduction are
not yet openly discussed in our society. Lack of adequate information and
knowledge on these issues may cause serious problems in the life of young
people. It is important to give relevant education on human sexuality and
reproduction to the young people including students according to their age
and maturity. This will help them to develop rational and responsible attitude
towards sex and reproduction in students and young
people. Hence, the issues of human sexuality, sexual
behavior, sexual problems, reproductive system and
reproductive process also fall within the scope of
population education.
Planning for Future: To-day’s children are tomorrow’s
parents. The future of a particular family, society and
a nation depends on them. Population education
helps them to plan for their future. It helps them to
make decisions on marriage, first conception, birth
spacing, family planning, maternity and childcare
and choice of contraceptives.
Importance of Population Education
As the rapid population growth has been a major problem, the importance
of population education is growing more and more every day. Its importance
can be as follows:
• It makes people aware of the consequences of population growth.
• It encourages people to have a small and happy family life.
• It enables people to face sex related problems.
• It discourages people of early marriage.
• It helps people to obtain quality of life.
• It helps people plan for their future.
• It helps people to maintain balance between population growth and
natural resources.
• It provides knowledge on human sexuality, reproduction, safe
motherhood, birth spacing and child care.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 211
Points to Remember:
F Population means the total number of people living in a certain place in
a certain time.
F Population composition is assorting of population on the basis of age,
sex, caste, religion, language, occupation and socio-economic status
etc.
F Population is characterized by birth, death, migration, literacy, census,
density, life expectancy, growth, dependency group, sex ratio etc.
F Population education is an educational process aimed at enabling
people to take appropriate decisions in population matters.
F Population education is a multidimensional and multidisciplinary
subject.
F Demography, determinants of population change, consequences of
population growth, human sexuality and reproduction and planning for
future etc are scopes of population education.
F As the population is rapidly growing, the importance of population
education has greatly increased.
Key Terms and Words:
• Assorting: arranging
• Conception: understanding, idea
• Consequences : results
• Density: bulk, mass
• Determinants : which determines
• Ecological : environmental
• Dispersed : distributed, scattered
• Dynamic: active, vital
• Multidisciplinary: of many subjects
• Multidimensional : having many areas
• Rational : realistic, sound
212 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Evaluation Activities
Very short answer questions:
1. Define population.
2. What are the characteristics of population?
3. What is population education?
4. What is demography?
5. What are the determinants of population change?
Short answer questions:
1. What is population education and its objective ?
2. What are the scopes of population education? List them out and
explain one of them.
3. Why is population education important in today’s world?
4. How does population education help young people? Explain.
Community Based Work:
a. Find out from your parents or elders how the population has been
changing and affecting your community in the last 10 years, and
write a report based on this.
b. Which type of the family is this? Discuss about it.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 213
Lesson Evolution of Population
Education
2
Population education is considered to be an integral part of education
system. The study of population education as an independent discipline has
been started from 1935 AD. Professor S.R. Wayland of Columbia University
(USA) introduced this discipline in the beginning. He is called the father of
population education. The evolution of the study of population education in
the formal education system is as follows:
• From Sweden- in 1935 AD
• From America – in 1937 AD
• From majority of the countries of the world- in 1970 AD
Many national and international seminars, workshops, awareness campaign,
meetings have been conducted for the development of the concept of
population education. The main aim of those activities is to direct the
countries for proper management of population so that people can maintain
quality of life. Some of the international workshops that have been conducted
are as below:
The first Regional workshop on Population Education was held in 1970 AD in
Bangkok, Thailand under the initiation of UNESCO.
• The workshop on Population Education was held in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia in 1971 AD
• The workshop on Population Education was held in Istanbul, Turkey in
1973 AD
• The workshop was held in Santiago, Chile in 1974 AD
Some international conferences on population education have been held
to find the solution through collective efforts related to adverse effect of
rapid population growth. Some of the major international conference on
population education and development are as follows:
• The WORLD POPULATION CONFERENCE in Bucharest, the capital city of
Romania in 1974 AD
• The WORLD POPULATION CONFERENCE in Mexico City, Mexico in 1984
AD
214 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
• The WORLD POPULATION CONFERENCE in Cairo, the capital city of Egypt
in 1994 AD
Many efforts have been made for the systematic study of population
education in Nepal. The formation of Population Committee in 2032 BS,
and the National Population Education in 2037 BS provided the background
to begin Population Education in Nepal. Population Education was included
in the school level curriculum for the first time with the combine initiative
of Government of Nepal and UNESCO in 2037 BS. National Population
Commission was established in 2038 BS and Population Education
was incorporated in school and university curriculum. The importance of
Population Education is increased along with the establishment of the
Ministry of Population and Environment in 2052 BS.
The population education programme was started in 2038 BS in the Faculty
of Education of Tribhuvan University. Population Education is being taught
as an optional subject in M.Ed. since 2041 BS and B.Ed. since 2046 BS.
Similarly, Population Study was started in the Faculty of Humanities in 2042
BS. in Bachelor’s level and in 2047 BS in its Master’s level.
Population and Environment Education was introduced as a compulsory
subject in class 6-8 from 2052 BS in school level curriculum. As per the report
of High Level National Education Commission 2055 BS, Health, Population
and Environment Education is introduced as an integrated subject in the
secondary level.
Population Education is being taught as an optional subject at the secondary
level.
According to the Basic Education Curriculum, 2068 BS, Population Education
is being taught as a part of Social Studies in class 6-8.
Several local, national and international agencies NGOs and INGOs have
been working for the development of Population and Environment Education
in Nepal.
Key Terms and Words:
• integral : undivided
• initiation: the action of beginning something
• incorporated : unified, consolidated
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 215
Points to Remember:
F The study of population education as an independent discipline has
been started from 1935 AD.
F Professor S.R. Wayland of Columbia University (USA) introduced this
discipline in the beginning.
F The first Regional workshop on Population Education was held in 1970
AD in Bangkok, Thailand
F Population Education was included in the school level curriculum for
the first time with the combine initiative of Government of Nepal and
UNESCO in 2037 BS.
F The population education programme was started in 2038 BS in the
Faculty of Education of Tribhuvan University.
F Population and Environment Education was introduced as a compulsory
subject in class 6-8 from 2052 BS in school level curriculum.
Evaluation Activities
1. Fill in the blanks:
a. Population education is considered to be an .......... part of
education system.
b. ................. is called the father of population education.
c. The first Regional workshop on Population Education was
held in ................ in Bangkok, Thailand under the initiation of
.......................
d. National Population Commission was established in ........ BS.
e. The population education programme was started in ..............
BS in the Faculty of Education of ......................
2. Answer the following questions.
a. Who is known as the father of Population Education? Mention
his contribution.
b. Why is population education important?
c. Explain the evolution of population education in Nepal.
d. Mention the major international conference on population
education and development.
216 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Lesson Family Life Education
3
Naminta Village Now and Then
Then Now
The people in the Naminta village The life style, behaviour and
used to get married at an early the attitude of villager have
age. They used to bear child in been changed now. Their living
early age due to this reason. They standard has been improved.
used to consider the children as The reproductive behaviour of
the gift of god. So, couples desired the villagers has been changed
many children. Most of them were significantly. They are getting
illiterate. They were not aware of married at proper age now. Married
reproductive health, contraception, couples are procreating babies
family planning, maternal care, only after proper family planning.
prenatal and post natal care. They Couples are using appropriate
were unknown about the use of permanent or temporary
contraceptive devices. The births contraceptive devices as required.
pacing used to be very short. There Information and education related
was no proper care for woman during to reproductive health is being
her pregnancy and delivery. The life disseminated through various
was very difficult and painful due means of communication. The
to poverty. The infant mortality rate economic status of the villagers is
used to be very high. improving gradually. There is peace
and harmony amongst the villagers.
Generally, all individual would be parents in their future. The have right to
decide the appropriate age at marriage, parenthood, number of children,
birth-spacing between each child, appropriate age for the first conception
considering their physical, mental, social and economic status. Everyone
has right to get information, education, knowledge about human sexuality
and reproductive health. Everyone has right to get complete reproductive
and sexual health through quality sexual and reproductive health services.
Everyone has to be free from sexual and reproductive health abuse, violence
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 217
and sex trade etc.
Family life education is an educational process that teaches different
aspectsand modes in families affecting and determining personal as well
as family matters. It is an integrated educational process which includes
family planning, safe motherhood, maternal and child health care, proper
mobilization of resources etc. The proper management of income and
other resources in the family helps family members to lead a happy and
prosperous family life. It is accepted that the small size of family is a happy
and prosperous family.
We observe various signs and symptoms of physical, mental, emotional,
social and spiritual changes in course of time from infancy to old age. The
proper guidance, assistance to them is essential during this time to develop
the positive attitude and proper behaviour. In this regard, family life education
is important to lead a peaceful, happy, prosperous and stable family life by
obtaining social and economic development of every family.
However, due to various reasons like poverty, illiteracy, superstitious beliefs,
the status of women, unemployment etc., the population of our country
is increasing alarmingly. It is quite difficult to fulfill the aspirations of their
children like education, quality food, entertainment, health facilities etc. It is
difficult to be responsible parents in large family due to economic crisis. The
health status of both mother and child will be affected adversely. Moreover,
the rapid growth of population causes various social and economic problems.
Thus, family life education is essential to make the people aware, educated
about these problems and take initiations to solve them. The knowledge
of family life education makes the youth responsible and capable parent
in their future so that they will be able to tackle with all the problems
and achieve quality of life. Family life education encourages the couples
to maintain proper birth-spacing, helps to decrease infant mortality rate,
provides knowledge about the advantages of small family size. It provides
knowledge about the use of contraceptive devices that helps to control
fertility rates and supports population management, which ultimately helps
to maintain quality of life.
218 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Key Terms and Words:
• reproductive : generative, propagative
• contraception: the use of artificial methods or other techniques to prevent
pregnancy
• disseminate: spread or disperse widely
• appropriate : suitable, applicable
• abuse: cruel or violent treatment of a person or animal
• prosperous: flourishing financially, successful
• infancy: the state of early childhood
Points to Remember:
F Family life education is an educational process that teaches different
aspects and modes in families affecting and determining personal as
well as family matters.
F The proper management of income and other resources in the family
helps family members to lead a happy and prosperous family life.
F Family life education is important to lead a peaceful, happy, prosperous
and stable family life by obtaining social and economic development of
every family.
F the rapid growth of population causes various social and economic
problems.
F Family life education encourages the couples to maintain proper birth-
spacing, helps to decrease infant mortality rate, provides knowledge
about the advantages of small family size.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 219
Evaluation Activities
1. Answer the following questions
a. What is family life education?
b. Mention the different aspects included in family life education.
c. What do you mean by happy family? Is your family happy? Why?
d. Why is family life education important? Explain.
2. Prepare a list of changes that you observed in the family
life condition of your villagers then and now consulting
senior citizen of your village.
3. Married couples in your village may desire to have many
children or fewer children. Conduct a survey on this and
fill in the chart below with the respondents’ opinions.
Reasons for desiring more Reasons for desiring fewer
children children
220 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Lesson Sources of Population
Statistics
4
Various population data and statistics are required to be able to analyze
population situation and to plan and conduct development works. Such
information is obtained from different means and methods which are called
the sources of population statistics. These sources are classified into two
categories: primary and secondary sources.
Primary Sources
The means or sources which give first hand statistics or data are called
the primary sources. Primary sources are documents or physical objects
which are written or created during the time under study. These sources are
present during an experience of time period and offer an inside view of a
particular event. They include:
• Census
• Vital Registration
• Sample Surveys
• Administrative Records
Census: Census, which is an act of official counting of the whole population
of a certain place, region or country, is one of the important primary sources
of population statistics. It collects essential statistics on the characteristics
of population like , sex, age, caste, religion, marital status, education, birth
place, employment status etc. A comprehensive census also provides
population statistics about the various facilities and services being enjoyed
by people. It provides important population statistics about its size, density,
composition, distribution, birth rate, death rate, growth rate, migration
rate, literacy, life expectancy, dependency group, sex ratio, rural and urban
population, etc. Census is useful to formulate development plans and
programmes. It also helps to conduct researches.
Census is conducted in every 10 years in Nepal. The first census was carried
out in 1911 (1968 BS), and the last population census was conducted in
2011 (2068 BS) so far.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 221
Vital Registration: Life begins from birth and ends in death. There occur several
vital events during this period. Vital registration is the process of registering
and recording of vital population related events such as birth, death, migration,
marriage, abortion, divorce and adoption. It is also known as personal event
registration. Whenever such event takes place, it is the responsibility of the
concern people to immediately record it. Such registrations and records are
mainly maintained by the local government bodies like VCs and municipalities.
At the central level, it is maintained in the Ministry of Local development. This
registration provides population statistics for the inter-census period, and is
useful for tallying with census statistics. Population change is known through
such registration. The practice of vital registration started in Nepal from 2034
BS.
• Birth Registration: As soon as a child is born, it should be registered
legally with complete detail like name, date of birth, sex, parents’ name,
place of birth, etc and a birth registration certificate should be obtained.
It gives legal status to the newly born child. Birth certificate is essential to
be able to get citizenship certificate and to various other state facilities.
• Death Registration: Death should also be registered with the details
of the deceased, and a death certificate should be obtained. This is
important for transferring the dead person’s property to the successors.
Death registration helps to know the change in population, and the cause
and age of death.
• Marriage Registration: Marriage should be registered and a marriage
certificate should be obtained. It is important for legalizing the relation.
It is the basis of giving legality to the children born from the couple. It
helps to check social evils like child marriage, polygamy and unmatched
(unmel) marriages.
• Divorce Registration: Divorce is legal separation of a husband and a
wife. It should also be registered and a certificate is obtained. It helps the
divorcees to settle disputes of property and other issues. It also provides
legality of the marriage and children.
• Migration Registration: Migration should be registered as soon as
being migrated to a new place and a certificate should be obtained. It
shows change in population of both places of origin and destination.
International migration should also be registered. It shows change in the
population in both countries of in-migration and outmigration.
222 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Sample Surveys: Sample survey,
which is a process of collecting
important data through a
selected group of people, is
one of the primary sources of
population statistics. In this
process, the sample population
represents the whole targeted
population. Survey sampling
describes the process of
selecting a sample of elements Survey
from a target population in order
to conduct a survey. The purpose of sampling is to reduce the cost and/or
the amount of work that it would take to survey the entire target population.
A survey that measures the entire target population is called a survey.
Administrative Records: Administrative records refer to those data collected
and maintained by administrative bodies for their own uses. Voters’ list,
telephone directory, tax payers’ list etc are examples of such records. The
population statistics so obtained are useful in recording vital events and
conducting sample surveys.
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources of population statistics are those data already prepared
and compiled by different organizations and agencies for various purposes.
A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources
are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may
have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Periodicals,
journals, magazines, research works, books etc are examples of secondary
sources of population statistics.
Points to Remember:
F The various means or methods from which population statistics are
obtained are called sources of population statistics.
F Sources of population statistics are of two types: primary and secondary
sources.
F Census, vital registration, sample survey and administrative records are
primary sources of population statistics.
F Secondary sources of population statistics are those data already
compiled by different organizations and agencies for various purposes.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 223
Key Terms and Words:
• Abortion: deliberate termination of pregnancy
• Adoption: legal process of taking somebody’s child as your own
• Comprehensive: detailed, complete
• Deceased : dead, no longer living
• Divorce : formal separation of wife and husband
• Journal : magazine or periodical
• Periodicals : a magazine or journal published at regular intervals
• Sample : specimen
• Statistics : numerical facts an data
Evaluation Activities
Very short answer questions:
1. What is meant by sources of population statistics?
2. What is census?
3. When was the first census taken in Nepal?
4. What are the primary sources of population statistics?
5. What is vital registration?
6. When was the practice of vital registration started in Nepal?
Short answer questions:
1. What are the differences between census and sample survey?
2. What is the vital registration, and why do we need to have vital
registration?
3. Why is it important to have population statistics?
4. What are the differences between the primary and secondary
sources of population statistics?
5. What are the different vital registrations and write about any two of
them?
6. What are the sources of population statistics? Explain.
Community Based Work:
a. Collect population statistics of any 6 families in your community
under the following headings:
b. Name of Family, Male, Female, Age, Education, Occupation
224 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Lesson Factors Affecting
Population Change
5
Introduction: Population Change
The increase or decrease in the size of population is known as population
change. Population is always dynamic and keeps changing. It never remains
constant.
There are mainly three important factors responsible for population change.
They are birth, death and migration. Birth means population increase, and
death means population decrease in a particular place. Similarly in-migration
increases the population and out migration decreases the population of a
place.
Population and the environment are very closely interrelated. More population
means requirement of more natural and other resources and means. The
demand of basic needs like food, shelter, clothing, etc increases along with
the increase in population. These means and resources are required in
proportion to the population growth.
Causes of Population Growth
Increase in the size of population means population growth. It is the result
of high birth rates, immigration and low death rates. At present, population
is growing in most countries, more so in the least developed countries.
Population has been constantly growing in the last few decades in Nepal
too. The growth rate is in fact much higher than in many other countries.
Table Showing Population Growth Trend in Nepal
Census Year Population Growth Rate Density/Sq Km
1911 53,38,749 - 38
1921 55,73,788 -0.12% 38
1931 55,32,574 -0.07% 38
1941 62,83,649 1.16% 43
1952-54 82,56,625 2.28% 56
1961 94,12,996 1.64% 64
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 225
1971 1,15,55,983 2.05% 79
1981 1,50,22,839 2.62% 102
1991 1,84,91,097 2.08% 126
2001 2,31,51,423 2.25% 157
2011 2,64,94,504 1.35% 180
The table shows the population growth trend of Nepal since the beginning
of population census to till 2011 AD. The last few decades show quite high
population growth rate in Nepal, the highest were in 1952-54 and 1971-2001
ADs. According to the last census of 2068 BS, the annual population growth
rate of Nepal is 1.35%. It means about 4,00,000 people are added annually
to the population of Nepal. It is slightly lesser than the previous growth rates,
but still higher than that of many countries. It is due to population education,
growing awareness, accessibility of family planning means and absence of a
large number of youths etc.
Lack of education, poverty, social customs and traditions, religious norms
and values, high infant and child mortality rate are the major causes of high
population growth.
Lack of Education: Education plays an important role in population
management. It brings positive changes in attitude, behavior, belief and
thinking. It teaches what is right and wrong. It makes people aware of the
consequences of big family size, and encourages family planning. It affects
fertility. This is why educated couples generally have small family and high
standard of living. But, it is
opposite with uneducated
people. They are unaware
of the bad consequences.
They just want to live for to-
day. They don’t care much
for the future. They have
little knowledge about the
means and methods of
family planning. Above all, Lack of Education
they have little opportunity
of employment, spend much of their time at home and have low standard
of life. Hence, lack of education is a main cause of rapid population growth.
226 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Poverty: Poverty is another important factor of rapid population growth. In
poor families, people tend to think that more the number of people more
the earning. Poor parents hope
getting help from children in
earning money, taking burden
of household work and caring
them in old age. Children are
expected to help looking after
domestic works, cattle and
other smaller children while
parents are at work. Children
are seen as added work force
and agents of earning. Hence,
they give birth to more number
Poverty
of children. This attitude on
one hand unnecessarily increases the population and on the other makes
them even poorer. The parents need to shoulder extra economic burden.
Social Customs and Traditions: Social customs and traditions also contribute
to population growth. There are some societies where children are married
early. Early marriage means prolonged fertility period and probability of
bearing more number of children. Also, there are some people who consider
daughters as family burden and marry them off sooner. About 40% of girls
get married at the age of 16/17 years in Nepal. Similarly, there are societies
which consider children as the gifts of God, and family planning as a vice.
Societies also don’t look positively to those not having any children. All these
contribute to the unnecessary population increase.
Religious Norms and Beliefs: Fertility is also closely related with the religious
norms and beliefs. Our societies are very much influenced by religions. Sons
are given preference to daughters because of number of reasons. People still
believe that only sons can perform a certain social and religious rites and
rituals like giving dagbatti and shraddhes etc. It is considered must to have
a son to perform such religious practices and also to continue the family
name and traditions. Hence, they continue bearing children after children
until at least a son is born. This naturally increases population growth.
High Infant and Child Mortality Rate: Although infant and child mortality
rate is decreasing, it is still quite high in rural areas. This is also one of the
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 227
factors of population growth. People tend to bear more number of children
when they aren’t very sure of the survival of their children. By simply thinking
some out of the many children would survive, they tend to give birth to more
children as insurance.
Causes of Population Decrease
Death is one of the main causes of population decrease. People die of various
causes like natural death, natural disasters and accidents. Illiteracy, poverty
and lack of health facilities and services also cause death. High infant and
child mortality, poverty, illiteracy, lack of health care facilities and services,
natural disasters and accidents are the causes of population decrease.
High Infant and Child Mortality Rate: Infant and children die because of
many reasons like lack of proper care, health service, nutrition, ignorance,
superstition, poverty, early marriage, etc. Infant mortality rate of Nepal
according to the census 2068 BS is 46 per thousand live births and death
of children below 5 years of age is 48.
Poverty: Poor people can’t provide nutritious food, good health care and
services, proper clothing, shelter, education and other essential facilities.
So, there is more chance of untimely death of children and adult as well in
such families.
Illiteracy and Lack of Health Knowledge: Lack of education is one of the
major causes of untimely death. Uneducated people lack knowledge of
health, hygiene, cleanliness, exercise, nutritious food and importance of
environment. This brings diseases and many other health problems causing
death.
Lack of Health Care Services and
Facilities: Proper health care is very
important to have healthy live and
longevity. People suffer from various
infectious diseases due to lack of
proper health care services and
facilities. There aren’t enough such
facilities in rural and remote areas.
This causes untimely death of children,
adult and mothers. The mortality rate
is 281 per 1,00,000 according to the census of 2068 BS.
228 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Natural Disasters and Accidents: Natural disasters and accidents like
earthquake, flood, landslide, storm, accidents etc are difficult times. They
cause huge losses in life, property and environment. For example: the
earthquake of 1990 BS and 2072 BS in Nepal, and the recent cyclone in the
Philippines were very destructive. Tsunami in
the Indian Ocean in 2004 killed more than
3 lakh people in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia,
and Thailand. Thus natural disasters and
accidents cause population decrease.
Causes of Migration
Migration, the movement of people from one Flood
place to another, changes the population
size, composition and distribution of a
particular place. There are various causes of migration. People migrate
where there are better facilities, security and opportunities. For example:
people from mountain migrate to hill or terai, from hill to terai, from rural
area to urban area and from the least developed country to developed
country. Due to migration, population of origin place decreases and the
population in destination place increases. The major causes of migration
are employment, health care services and facilities, facilities of education,
transport, communication, entertainment and security.
Employment Opportunity: Employment is essential to earn living and maintain
quality of life. Employment opportunity is less in rural and undeveloped
places. Hence, people migrate to
urban, industrialized and developed
places so that they can have better
chances of being employed.
Health Care Services and Facilities:
People suffer from various ailments
and diseases. Proper health care
services and facilities are essential
requirement for living a healthy life.
Employment Opportunity
Nobody knows when one falls sick.
So, it is the general tendency of people to migrate to places where such
services and facilities are easily available. As a result, the population of such
places increases.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 229
Education Facility: Quality education is very important. Overall quality of
life greatly depends on quality education. Hence, people generally migrate
to places where standard and higher educational facilities like schools,
colleges and universities are available. It also increases the population of
the migrated place.
Transportation and
Communication Facilities:
Transportation and communication
facilities are essential for various
social and economic activities like
trade, commerce, industries and
movement. Other facilities and
services are also dependent on Education Facility
these facilities. Hence, the people
migrate to such place, and the population increases there.
Entertainment Facility: Entertainment is part and parcel of human life.
People need to enjoy and relax. People migrate to places where appropriate
means of entertainment like playground, parks, cinema, shopping, sports
etc are found, and population increase there.
Security: Security is one of the most Enterinment Facility
important considerations in human
life. Nothing is more important than
life. Hence, people migrate where
there is peace, tranquility, social
harmony and security increasing
population in such places.
Effects of Population Change on
Socio-Economic and Environment
Population change is a natural process, however, it effects on socio-economic
and environment in different ways. The major effects in points form are as
follows:
• Population increase demands more natural resources and means of
livelihood.
• Population increase degrades quality of life.
• Population increase causes unemployment
230 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
• Population increase degrades quality of environment.
• Population increase causes encroachment of cultural heritages.
• Population increase causes pollution, health and sanitation problems.
• Population increase causes social problems like theft, robbery,
murder, abduction, etc.
• Big population decrease causes shortage of workforce.
Points to Remember:
F The increase or decrease in the size of population is known as population
change.
F There are mainly three important factors responsible for population
change: birth, death and migration.
F Lack of education, poverty, social customs and traditions, religious
norms and values, high infant and child mortality rate are the causes of
high population growth.
F High infant and child mortality, poverty, illiteracy, lack of health care
facilities and services, natural disasters and accidents are the causes
of population decrease.
F Employment, health care services and facilities, facilities of education,
transport, communication, entertainment and security are causes of
migration.
F Although population change is a natural process, it effects socio-
economic and environment in different ways.
Key Terms and Words:
• Abduction : illegal carrying away of a person, kidnapping
• Ailment : illness, physical disorder
• Consequence: result, outcome
• Cyclone : tornado
• Degrade : to lower in quality
• Disaster: accident, trouble
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 231
Key Terms and Words:
• Fertility : birth rate of population, state of being fertile
• Mortality: death
• Tend : way of thinking
• Tranquility : peace
• Trend: flow, current
Evaluation Activities
Very short answer questions:
1. What do you mean by population change?
2. What are the factors of population change?
3. What are the causes of population growth?
4. What are the causes of population decrease?
5. What are the causes of migration?
6. What is meant by population growth ?
Short answer questions:
1. It has been found population growth rate decreased in the last
population census, what do you think are the reasons?
2. How does high population growth affect socio-economic and
environmental aspects?
3. What are the causes of high infant mortality rate? How can we
reduce it?
4. How does population increase with social and religious customs
and beliefs?
5. Illiteracy is the cause of population growth. Do you agree? Explain.
6. Write a dialogue about the effects of population growth?
7. How does education help in controlling population growth? Explain.
Community Based Work:
Find out whether the population in your community is increasing or
decreasing, list out its causes and write a short report on this.
232 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Lesson Status of Migration In
Nepal
6
Migration of people from one place to another is a usual phenomenon since
the beginning of human civilization. The migration in the beginning was for
the sake of food and exploring new places for security purpose. But gradually
the migration took the shape in diverse form and now has become a very
essential and common in each and every corner of the world.
Nepal is not an exception. Population census 2011 (2068 BS) shows that
at least one member in every four households is absent or is living out
of country. Total number of absent population is found to be 1,921,494
against 7,62,181 in 2001. The highest proportion (44.81 percent) of absent
population is from the age group 15 to 24 years. Gulmi, Arghakhanchi and
Pyuthan districts reported the highest proportion of their population being
absent (staying abroad).
Overview of Migration in Nepal
In recent years, migration has become increasingly predominant. Increasing
number of Nepalese are migrating not only within the country and to the
common destination of India, but also further abroad to countries such as
Israel, Malaysia, Korea, Macao, Japan, the USA, Canada and so on. Economic
reasons are the primary forces of migration. It includes lack of food, lack
of employment, and lack of land, rather than any desire to 'see the world' or
visit big cities.
Higher wage rates, employment opportunities and labour scarcity in receiving
areas also attract people to migrate. The gender discrimination that is
prevalent in education, health services and nutrition are also some of the
reasons that women leave their villages.
Historically, it has been men who migrate while women have been left at
home with an increased burden of work. Observing the increase in status
and the positive benefits that come with migration, women too have been
motivated to increase their standard of living and improve their lives. Hence,
women are also increasingly migrating to escape poverty, discrimination
and gender-based violence. As female migration has always been publicly
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 233
scrutinized and disapproved, women are often forced to take clandestine
or secret means to migrate, making women vulnerable to trafficking and
exploitation.
During the past few years, Nepal has been experiencing political conflict
arising from the Maoist insurgency. This conflict has had a profound effect
on all communities, particularly the rural communities where approximately
85 percent of the population resides. It has had created social, political
and economic uncertainty, instability and insecurity. It has had serious
consequences for the economic and social situation of communities, and of
the country as a whole.
While migration has always been intertwined with the history of Nepal, the
conflict situation and political instability has led to a drastic increase in
migration. Typically, individuals or families have migrated in search of a better
life or a more secure means of livelihood. However, now individuals, families
and communities are being displaced forcefully, because they fear for their
own safety, or because their communities are no longer able to provide a
sustainable means of income generation due to the rising instability.
Internal Migration Internal Migration
A large number of people also migrate
within Nepal, to other towns or cities
where there are more work opportunities
available. As per the census of 2068
BS, population in mountain: 6.73%, hill:
43.00% and terai: 50.27%. It is found
that more people are migrating from
mountains and hills to either terai or
towns and cities.
Nepal is a country where industrial growth is limited, making land the most
important economic asset. However, obtaining land in Nepal is far from easy.
In recent years, there has been a steady pattern of migration in Nepal from
the hill and mountain regions to the Terai. The Terai is a fertile agricultural
area along the southern border of Nepal. The 2011 census indicated a
pronounced shift from a mountain-rural to a plains-urban society
The population in the mountain regions of Nepal has exceeded the carrying
capacity of the land. Therefore, people are moving to the more arable lands
234 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
of the Terai. It is estimated that 60% of Nepal’s population is concentrated
in the hill and mountain regions, while more than 60% of farmland is in the
Terai. The migrants hope to make a better life for themselves by moving
to the agricultural hub of the country. However, these migrants are having
difficulty finding affordable land.
Large number of migration is causing a great deal of tension in the Terai.
The region is experiencing ethnic tension between the plains and hill people.
Furthermore, deforestation in the Terai is drastically reducing the country’s
timber resources, and is also increasing soil erosion and flooding.
Labour Migration
A huge number of Nepalese workers
go abroad to work in the absence of
fruitful local employment opportunities.
Migration is nothing new to Nepal, and
the total stock of Nepalese nationals
working overseas in different capacities
is estimated to be above 2 million.
With the approval of the Labor Act Labour Migration
of 1985, the government of Nepal
officially recognized the potential value
of foreign labor. From the late 1980s onwards, Nepalese began to migrate in
significant numbers eastwards to Southeast Asia and the Far East and, from
the mid--1990s onwards, westwards to the Gulf countries.
The history of formal entrance of Nepalese citizens in foreign employment
began after the Anglo-Nepal War in 1814-16 AD. After the Sughauli Treaty,
Nepalese youngsters started being recruited to the British Indian armed
forces.
Similarly, the migration of Nepalese people for other employment purpose
began to work in the tea states of Darjeeling and forest of Assam by the
second half of the 19th century. The reasons behind the migration are
almost same in Nepal as other parts of the world. Existing poverty, limited
employment opportunities, deteriorating agricultural productivity, armed
conflict are some of the reasons about the motives behind international
labour migration.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 235
People are leaving their usual place of residence for seeking better
employment opportunities and supply food for their dependents. Poverty
and the inability to earn enough or produce enough to support oneself or a
family are major reasons behind the movement of work seekers from one
place to another.
There are many villages in Nepal where the labour migration has been
established as a culture of community. People go aboard for work for a while
and return back with some money and experience of placement in different
geographical location. The influence of friends, relatives and well-wishers
has also played a prominent role to the promotion of international labour
migration.
Impacts of Migration
International labour migration may have a positive effect on both sending
and receiving countries. It helps open up new possibilities of social, cultural
and economic benefits. Migrants who return to their communities often
bring new skills and a new world outlook.
Migration leads to transfer of skills, ideas, knowledge, creates links and
interpersonal networks, contributing to economic and social development
of both home and host countries as well as those who migrate. Remittances
may contribute to the development of the country. However, migration may
also have negative outcomes, such as when migrating persons end up being
trafficked. By observing the trend of labour migrants, it seems that most of
them are either unskilled or semi-skilled or uneducated. They have not been
paid adequately and often exploited. They face numerous problems before
and after their departure for foreign.
Migration is an integral part of current global economy. As the trends of
migration only continue to increase with the impacts of globalization and
deeper economic interdependence, it is vital that governments, NGOs,
communities and individuals work together to widen migration opportunities
and ensure safe migration that ensures the human rights of all migrants.
As far as internal migration is concerned, people usually migrate from rural
areas to urban areas and mountain and hill to terai. Unplanned internal
migration causes social, economic, and environmental problems. It affects
the population of a place. It causes social problems and disturbs social peace
and harmony. It demands more means and resources in a particular place.
236 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
It degrades environment, causes imbalance and instability. It also leaves
the resources in the left places underutilized. Hence, uncontrolled migration
should be discouraged by improving economic opportunities and essential
facilities and services in rural and remote places.
Some Terms Related to Migration:
• Immigrate: come to settle as a permanent resident in a different
country.
• Immigrant: a person who settles as a permanent resident in a different
country.
• Emigrate: leave one’s country to settle in another.
• Emigrant: a person who emigrates.
Points to Remember:
F Migration of people is a usual phenomenon since the beginning of
human civilization.
F According to the last census, at least one in every four households is
absent or is living out of country.
F There about 2 million people mostly between the age of 15 to 25 are out
of the country at present.
F Economic reasons that include food, employment etc are the primary
forces of migration.
F Women are also increasingly migrating to escape poverty, discrimination
and gender-based violence.
F Conflict situation and political instability has led to a drastic increase in
migration.
F A large number of people also migrate within country where there are
more work opportunities available.
F As the mountain regions have limited carrying capacity, people are
moving to more arable lands of Terai.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 237
Key Terms and Words:
• Asset : property
• Clandestine: secret, sly
• Exceed : surpass, be superior to
• Exception : leaving out
• Intertwined : associated, twisted around
• Motive : propose, reason
• Predominant : most important, main
• Phenomenon: rare occurrence, wonder
• Profound: deep, intellectual
• Proportion : relative amount
• Pronounced: distinct, evident
• Remittance : money paid
• Scarcity : deficiency
• Scrutinized: examined closely
Evaluation Activities
Very short answer questions:
1. What is labour migration?
2. When was international migration started in Nepal?
3. Why do people migrate?
4. Where do people generally migrate within the country?
Short answer questions:
1. Growing number of Nepalese youths are migrating to third countries,
what do you think are the causes?
2. Unplanned in-country migration causes many problems, what should
be done to control it?
3. Why are increasing number of women migrating to foreign countries?
What social problems can it cause?
4. What are the problems of labour migration?
Community Based Work:
Some of the people from your community might have gone to foreign
employment. Find out the countries they have gone to, and the work they
are doing there. How are they contributing to their family? Write a report.
238 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
UNIT
10
Population growth
and management
In this unit, we will learn the following: 239
• The Trend of Population Growth in Nepal
• The causes and Consequences of Rapid Population Growth
• Population Management and Quality of Life
• Measures of Population Management
• The Role of Agencies Involved in Population Management
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Lesson The Trend of Population
Growth in Nepal
1
The Trend of Population Growth in Nepal
Population change refers to the increase or decrease in the size of population
in a particular place at a particular time. Birth of babies increases the size
of population whereas the death decreases the population size. Similarly,
immigration also contributes to increase the size of population at the
destination country and decrease the population at the country of origin.
Immigration is the migration of foreigners into the country. Population growth
is the increase in the size of population due to birth, death and migration.
A high rate of increment of population is known as rapid population growth
rate. Birth, death and migration are the determining factors of population
change.
The Situation of Population Growth Rate of Nepal (1911-2011 AD)
Census Year (AD) Population Growth Rate (%)
1911 –
1920 (0.13)
1930 (0.07)
1941 1.16
1952/54 2.27
1961 1.64
1971 2.05
1981 2.62
1991 2.08
2001 2.25
2011 1.35
Source: CBS, 2012 AD
The population census began in 1911 AD in Nepal. There was negative
increment in population in the next 30 years. Some of the reasons behind
the decrement of population size are: Unscientific census enumeration,
Emigration of large number of Nepalese youth due to recruitment in the
Gurkha Army during the First World War, Due to the prevalence of epidemic
throughout the country,
240 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Fear of Nepal-Tibet War.
The population of our country began increasing rapidly after the census 1941
AD. The return of the Nepalese youth from the world war (approximately
200,000) and the return of Nepalese citizens, who were residing in different
countries, to homeland after the establishment of democracy are some of
the reasons for rapid growth of population in our country. Besides, high
birth rate and a significant decline in mortality rate also contribute to rapid
population growth rate.
The table above shows that the population of Nepal was increasing rapidly
from 1971 AD until 2001 AD. There is slight decrement of population growth
rate in Nepal to 1.35 percent in 2011 AD. Some of the reasons behind it
are the improvement in health services, decline of infant mortality rate,
reduction in fertility rate, urbanization, emigration of Nepali people to
different countries and family planning awareness and services.
Key Terms and Words:
• Immigration: the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country.
• Emigration: moving abroad, out-migration
• Epidemic: a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a
community at a particular time
Evaluation Activities
Answer these questions:
1. What is rapid population growth rate?
2. What are the determining factors of population change? Explain.
3. Mention the reasons for the population decrease in Nepal from
1911 AD until 1930 AD.
4. What is migration? How does it contribute to the population change?
Community Based Work:
Find the vital events of life that occurred in your community for the last 2
years on the following topics:
Total households, Total live births, Total population, Total immigrants,
Total emigrants and Total number of deaths
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 241
Lesson The causes and
Consequences of Rapid
2
Population Growth
Introduction
The rapid growth of population has become a burning issue in the world. The
population has been increasing alarmingly especially in the least developed
countries. There is constant growth of population in Nepal too in last few
decades.
Some of the factors responsible for rapid population growth are as below:
1. Lack of Education: Education brings positive changes in attitude,
belief, behaviour and thinking. It plays vital role to bring about
changes in human being. It makes people aware of the consequences
of big family size and encourages married couple for ideal and small
and happy family. That is why the educated couples generally have
small and happy family with standard living. In contrary to, there
is a tendency of having large number of children due to ignorance
in uneducated couples. Illiterate people are most likely to have big
families. It causes rapid growth of population.
2. Poverty: In poor families, people believe that more children meant
more income. They think that bearing more number of children
means more income in the future. This attitude of poor parents
increases the population unnecessarily.
3. Superstition: People still believe children to be a blessing from god.
They don’t use contraceptive devices and are indifferent towards
reproductive health counseling and services, which ultimately leads
to rapid growth of population.
4. Social and religious norms and values: Fertility is related with the
religious norms and beliefs. Our society is greatly influenced by
religion. Sons are given more preference to daughter believing that
only sons can perform a certain social and religious rites and rituals
like offering Pinda to ancestors, offering Dagbatti and Shraddhas,
continuation of family clan etc. Due to this belief, people continue
bearing children until at least a son is born. This eventually causes
the population growth.
242 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
5. High infant and child mortality rate: It is also one of the reasons of
population growth. People tend to bear more number of children
as they aren’t sure about the survival of their children thinking that
some of the many children would survive.
Consequences of Rapid Population Growth
The rapid population growth affects our socio-economic, cultural and
environmental aspects in different ways. Some of the major effects are as
follows:
1. The arable land will be used for human settlement as increased
population demands more land for settlement which is likely to
result in food scarcity in near future.
2. Population increase causes unemployment.
3. There will be depletion of biodiversity including water and land
resources.
4. Various types of disease will spread due to environment pollution.
5. Pollution and waste management problem will increase which will
create problem in human health.
6. It causes degradation of quality of life.
7. It causes encroachment of cultural heritages.
8. There will be encroachment is the forest resources and smuggling of
wild animals and other forest products.
9. It causes social problems like theft, robbery, murder, abduction etc.
Points to Remember:
F The population has been increasing alarmingly especially in the least
developed countries.
F There are several causes of population growth.
F Lack of education, poverty, superstition, high infant mortality rate,
social and religious norms and values are some of the major causes of
population growth.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 243
Key Terms and Words:
• Alarmingly: severely
• Ignorance: lack of knowledge
• Superstition: a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge
• Fertility: the state of being fertile, power of reproduction
• Encroachment: an act of encroaching
• Abduction: kidnapping
Evaluation Activities
Short answer questions:
1. What are the causes of population growth?
2. ‘Least developed countries have high population growth rate’. Why?
3. How does illiteracy help to increase population growth rate? Explain.
4. ‘Poverty and religious norms and values increase population’.
Justify.
5. What are the consequences of rapid population growth?
Community Based Work:
Write a report evaluating the impact of population growth on socio-
economic and environmental aspect in your locality.
244 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Lesson Population Management
and Quality of Life
3
Introduction
Rapid population growth causes imbalance between natural resources,
environment and living organisms. The needs and demands of human
beings increase with the increase of human population. The population is
increasing day by day but the resources available are limited. So, the needs
and necessities can't be fulfilled in such condition. Our basic needs like food,
clothing, housing, health service and education etc can't be fulfilled in such
situation. As a result, it causes low quality of life.
Population Management
Population management denotes the proper distribution of population as per
the capacity of natural resources. Its main aim is to control overpopulation in
particular place so that so much population pressure is not exerted on the
environment and a balance between the population and the environment
of the place is maintained. If the population increases beyond the carrying
capacity of available means and resources, it will create different problems in
social, economic and environmental aspects. Problems like hunger, conflict,
dispute etc emerge in families and societies. Population management is
inevitable in order to control such problems and for the proper utilization of
available means and resources. Moreover, uneven distribution of population
leaves negative impacts like densely populated areas have insufficient
means and resources whereas sparsely or thinly populated areas have
no human resource to mobilize the available means and resources. So,
population management is indispensible for the proper and proportionate
development of every place of a nation.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 245
Quality of Life
Quality is a relative term as the meaning of quality differs from people to
people, community to community, society to society etc. The meaning of
quality differs in different situation, time and place. The human quality of
life is determined on the basis of their life style and the quality and quantity
of the goods and services they utilize. Increase in income may standardize
the living style but merely an increase in living standard may not necessarily
improve quality of life.
Quality of life is a state of being contented and satisfied by fulfilling the basic
as well as additional needs. It is the state of fulfillment of basic human needs
such as nutritious food, healthy residence, clean clothes, quality education,
safe drinking water, security etc along with the fulfillment of additional needs
like love, affection, self-respect etc. If the population increases rapidly and
facilities and services can't be increased in the same ratio, the attainment
of quality of life becomes almost impossible. In this condition, people won't
be able to fulfill their requirements, which leads to low quality of life. So,
there is close relationship between the population management and quality
of life.
Points to Remember:
F The population is increasing day by day but the resources available are
limited.
F Population management denotes the proper distribution of population
as per the capacity of natural resources.
F Population management is inevitable in order to control such problems
and for the proper utilization of available means and resources.
F Quality is a relative term as the meaning of quality differs from people to
people, community to community, society to society etc.
F Quality of life is a state of being contented and satisfied by fulfilling the
basic as well as additional needs.
246 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Key Terms and Words:
• Exerted: brought to bear
• Dispute: disagreement
• Inevitable: necessary
• Insufficient: inadequate, lacking in what is necessary or required
• Indispensible: absolutely necessary
• Proportionate: equitable
• Standardize: to bring or make of an established standard size, wight,
quality or the like
• Contented: satisfied
• Attainment: achievement
Evaluation Activities
Short answer questions:
1. What is population management?
2. "Population management is indispensible for development". Justify
the statement.
3. What do you mean by quality of life?
4. Explain the role of population management for the attainment of
quality of life.
Community Based Work:
Prepare a list of natural resources available in your locality. How are they
being utilized? Whether they are sufficient to bear the pressure of human
needs or not, give your suggestion.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 247
Lesson Measures of Population
Management
4
Introduction
Since the population in developing countries is increasing rapidly, the
primary task of population management is to control the population growth
rate. Similarly, appropriate settlement planning for the migrants can also be
considered as one of the measures of population management.
Some of the measures to be adopted for the effective population management
are as follows:
Proper age at marriage and conception
It is considered as one of the measures for population management.
Proper age at marriage is the marriage done in the appropriate age when
the individuals are physically, socially, economically and mentally matured
enough. From the prospective of reproductive health, the appropriate age at
marriage for female is after 20 years and for male after 25 years. Appropriate
age at marriage reduces the fecundity and fertility period of women and
gives birth to less number of children. Marriage done in early age prolongs
fertility period of women and there is high possibility of bearing more number
of children.
There are many advantages of appropriate age at marriage and first
conception. Some of the advantages are:
� There is less chance of miscarriage.
� There is less risk to the mother during her delivery period as she is
physically matured.
� There is less chance of reproductive health related complication.
� There is the birth of a physically and mentally healthy baby.
Moreover, married couples can get ample opportunities to acquire higher
education and income generating skills so that they can provide better care
for their babies that reduce the infant mortality rate significantly. As they
become sure about the survival of their babies, they become content with
their limited number of children. This attitude of parents helps in population
management.
248 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
Proper Birth Spacing
The interval between the birth of fist and second baby is called birth spacing.
The birth of the babies with the interval of 4 to 5 years is considered as ideal
birth spacing in our country. Proper birth spacing delays the birth of babies
which helps in population management.
Gender Equality
Gender equality refers to the equal rights and obligations for both male
and female. Unfortunately, our society is male dominated society. Women
are not enjoying the rights as compared to male. They are confined within
the household chores. There is still prevalence of gender discrimination.
Females are not included while making important family decisions. They are
not enjoying their reproductive rights as well. If there is gender equality, the
couple can make mutual satisfying decision about the birth of their babies.
They both can plan for their small and happy family attaining quality of life
that ultimately helps in population management.
Women Empowerment
Women empowerment through education and other means is essential
for population management. Women empowerment helps to boost their
reproductive health, increase their involvement in the social, economic and
political decision making process. If they are empowered, they will not suffer
from various social problems like child marriage, polygamy, illiteracy, social
and religious taboos etc that will contribute in population management.
Points to Remember:
F The primary task of population management is to control the population
growth rate.
F Proper age at marriage is the marriage done in the appropriate age
when the individuals are physically, socially, economically and mentally
matured enough.
F Appropriate age at marriage for female is after 20 years and for male
after 25 years.
F The interval between the birth of fist and second baby is called birth
spacing.
F Women empowerment helps to boost their reproductive health, increase
their involvement in the social, economic and political decision making
process.
Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7 249
Key Terms and Words:
• Fertility: the state of being fertile
• Interval: an intervening period of time
• Confined: restricted
• Discrimination: unfairness
• Empowerment: to give power or authority
• Polygamy: the practice or condition of having more than one spouse,
especially wife, at one time
Evaluation Activities
Short answer questions:
1. What are the advantages of appropriate age at marriage? List them.
2. How does birth spacing help in population management?
3. Gender equality and women empowerment help in population
management. Justify.
Community Based Work:
What type of women empowerment programs are being carried out
in your community? Write a report comparing the situation of women
before and after the program.
250 Social Studies & Population Education Book ~ 7
The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.
Revised Subharmbha social 7 2077 for CTP final
Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search