Human Resources
📚 Topic Overview: Human Resources
Human Resources refers to people as the most valuable asset of a nation. Their distribution, density, growth and composition decide economic development. This chapter covers global & Indian patterns with special focus on Andhra Pradesh.
1. Distribution of Population
- World Level: 60% in Asia, 17% Africa. Northern Hemisphere > Southern. China & India together > 35% of world.
- India: 1.44 billion (2025 est.), 17.8% of world population on 2.4% land.
- State Extremes: Highest – Uttar Pradesh (>240 million), Lowest – Sikkim (<7 lakh).
- Regional: Very high North India, moderate South & West, low North-East.
- Landforms: Dense in Plains & Coasts, sparse in Himalayas & Deserts.
- Factors: Fertile soil, water, moderate climate, jobs, historical settlements.
- Trends: Rapid urban growth (2023–2025).
Andhra Pradesh
- Population ~53.6 million (2025), Rank 10th.
- Highest districts: Visakhapatnam, East Godavari; Lowest: YSR Kadapa, Anantapur.
- Coastal Andhra & North Andhra high, Rayalaseema low due to drought-prone area.
- High concentration along Godavari–Krishna deltas and Visakhapatnam–Vijayawada corridor.
Real-Life Application: Just like students gather where good schools and playgrounds are, people settle where rivers, fertile land and jobs exist.
Exam Tip: Always remember “UP is the giant, Sikkim is the smallest”.
2. Density of Population
- World: Average 60 persons/km². Highest – Monaco, Singapore; Lowest – Mongolia, Australia.
- India: ~492 persons/km² (2025 est.) – very high among large countries.
- State Extremes: Highest – Bihar (>1300), Lowest – Arunachal Pradesh (<20).
- Regional: North > South > North-East.
- Landforms: Highest in Indo-Gangetic Plain & Coastal plains, lowest in Himalayas & Thar Desert.
- Factors: Fertile alluvial soil, irrigation, industries, urbanization.
- Trends: Density rising fast in urban corridors (2023–2025).
Andhra Pradesh
- Density ~320 persons/km² (below national average).
- Highest districts: Krishna, Guntur, Visakhapatnam (>600); Lowest: YSR Kadapa, Anantapur (<200).
- Coastal Andhra very dense, Rayalaseema sparse.
| High | Approx. | Low | Approx. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bihar | >1300 | Arunachal Pradesh | <20 |
| West Bengal | ~1100 | Sikkim | ~90 |
| Uttar Pradesh | ~900 | Mizoram | ~100 |
Real-Life Application: Mumbai local train in peak hour vs empty Ladakh highway – same reason behind high & low density.
Exam Tip: Direct question: “State with highest density → Bihar”.
3. Population Change
- World: Birth rate 17, Death rate 7, Growth ~0.9%. Highest growth – Niger, lowest – Ukraine.
- India: Birth rate ~16, Death rate ~6.5, Growth ~0.85% (2025 est.).
- State Extremes: Highest growth – Bihar, UP; Lowest – Kerala, Tamil Nadu (below replacement).
- Factors: Birth rate high where female literacy low, early marriage common.
- Trends: India moving toward replacement level (2.1); South India already achieved.
Andhra Pradesh
- Growth rate ~0.6% (one of lowest in India).
- Birth rate ~14–15, Death rate ~6–7.
- Life expectancy ~72 years (above national average).
- High out-migration to Hyderabad, Gulf, USA.
- Coastal districts growing slowly, Rayalaseema almost stable.
Real-Life Application: Kerala families have 1–2 children because girls study more & marry late – same reason AP growth is slow.
Exam Tip: “Southern states = Low growth, Northern states = High growth”.
4. Population Composition
- World: Median age 31 years.
- India: Median age ~29 years (youthful population). Sex ratio 108 males/100 females (improving).
- State Extremes (Sex Ratio): Highest – Kerala (1084 F/1000 M), Lowest – Haryana (~880).
- Age Structure: 0–14 years ~25%, 15–59 years ~65%, 60+ ~10%.
- Dependency Ratio: Decreasing (demographic dividend phase till 2040).
Andhra Pradesh
- Sex ratio ~1005 females/1000 males (better than national average).
- Median age ~30 years (ageing faster than Bihar/UP).
- High literacy ~75%, large working-age population migrating out.
- Coastal districts more balanced, some Rayalaseema areas still male-dominated.
Real-Life Application: More young people in India = more workers for factories & IT companies (demographic dividend).
Exam Tip: Kerala best sex ratio, Haryana worst – fixed pair.
Exam Tips & Memory Formula Sheet
Quick Memory Formulas
• Population share: Asia 60 → India 17.8 → UP alone ~17% of India
• Density order: Bihar > WB > UP >>> Arunachal
• Growth order: Bihar/UP high → Kerala/AP/TN low
• Sex ratio: Kerala > Puducherry > AP > Tamil Nadu >>> Haryana
• AP special: Coastal dense & growing, Rayalaseema sparse & ageing
• Population share: Asia 60 → India 17.8 → UP alone ~17% of India
• Density order: Bihar > WB > UP >>> Arunachal
• Growth order: Bihar/UP high → Kerala/AP/TN low
• Sex ratio: Kerala > Puducherry > AP > Tamil Nadu >>> Haryana
• AP special: Coastal dense & growing, Rayalaseema sparse & ageing
Most Asked Direct Questions
1. State with highest population/density?
2. State with lowest growth/sex ratio?
3. Why is Rayalaseema population low?
4. Which hemisphere has more population?
1. State with highest population/density?
2. State with lowest growth/sex ratio?
3. Why is Rayalaseema population low?
4. Which hemisphere has more population?