Question

Study the table given below and name the two states:

1. one which has the highest percentage of male population in the age group of 15-29 years, and
2. the other having the highest percentage of female population in the age group of 60 years and above.

Compare these figures with those of India as a whole and draw appropriate conclusions.

India: Age Structure of Population

Age Groups
Years	0-14		15-29		30-39		40-49		50-59		60 and above
	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F	M	F
	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%	%
India	20.41	19.14	13.34	12.54	6.23	5.98	5.02	4.51	3.35	2.93	3.31	3.18
Punjab	19.50	17.36	15.21	13.40	6.02	5.49	4.62	4.19	3.37	2.86	4.41	2.26
Jammu and Kashmir	21.02	19.97	13.90	12.48	6.39	5.81	4.96	4.14	3.19	2.38	3.39	2.36
Nagaland	18.77	18.08	15.99	13.66	7.39	5.590	5.10	3.89	2.94	2.34	3.31	2.60
Kerala	17.69	17.28	14.54	15.77	5.75	5.96	4.48	4.57	3.21	3.20	3.52	3.98

Answer 1

1. • Nagaland has the highest percentage of male population in the age group of 15–29 years, which is 15.99%.
   • This is higher than the national average of 13.34%.
2. • Kerala has the highest percentage of female population in the age group of 60 years and above, which is 3.98%.
   • This is higher than the national average of 3.18%.

Comparison and Conclusion:

• Nagaland shows a relatively youthful male population, which may suggest higher birth rates or in-migration of young males for employment or education.
• Kerala has a larger elderly female population, indicating better healthcare, higher life expectancy, and a more ageing population, especially among females.
• In contrast, India as a whole has lower values for both these categories, showing that these states have distinct demographic trends.