Human Population and Health Introduction

Although population of some animals is also studied, the population of human beings is most extensively studied. Whenever the word population is used, it connotes the human population. Population is one of the most important subjects known for having large scale ramifications on economic, social, environmental and developmental scenario of a country.

Study of population involves census, which means counting the number of people with all their vital statistics. The data generated is classified based on a number of criteria and presented region wise to arrive at many meaningful conclusions. These conclusions are of regional and national importance for planning, governance, allocation of resources, generating developmental plans, identifying the priorities and alleviation of regional disparities.

Population study can provide inputs for long range planning, for environmental exploitation and for developmental priorities. Degradation of natural resources, over exploitation of environment could be minimised by right projection on expected population. Similarly, developmental plans can be drawn on long term basis to attain success, if the population can be predicted for future period.

Thus, study of population is useful to know many past, present and future issues of human society, national economy, environment and development.