GeographyICSE Class 8 · India: Human Resources

Human Resources, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio of India (ICSE Class 8 Geography)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Draft, not yet fact-checked

Human resources are the people of a country seen as a resource: their number, health, knowledge and skills. India had about 121 crore people in the 2011 Census, with an average density of 382 persons per sq km, about 69 per cent rural and 31 per cent urban, and a sex ratio of 943 females per 1,000 males. People are densest in the Northern Plains and coasts and sparse in the high Himalaya and the Thar.

Notice that most Indians live in villages, females are slightly fewer than males, and people crowd the Northern Plains but are few in the Himalaya and Thar.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India

1. Meaning. Human resources are the people of a country considered as a resource: their number, health, knowledge, skills, abilities and attitudes that let them produce goods and services. People are both producers and consumers. A large population becomes an asset (human capital) only when healthy, educated and skilled; otherwise it can be a burden. Human resource development (HRD) means improving the quality of people by education, health care, training and nutrition. People are a resource because they use natural resources and turn them into goods (iron ore into steel), create new resources and technology, and provide services. Japan, with few natural resources, developed largely by investing in its people.

2. Population of India. According to the 2011 Census, India had about 121 crore people and an average density of 382 persons per sq km.

*Densely populated:* the Northern Plains (fertile soil, water and flat land), especially Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh; coastal plains such as Kerala; large urban regions.
*Sparsely populated:* the high Himalaya (cold and rugged), the Thar Desert (dry), dense forests and hills of the north-east (for example Arunachal Pradesh) and parts of the Peninsular Plateau with poor soil.
Most populous state: Uttar Pradesh. Highest density among states: Bihar. Lowest density: Arunachal Pradesh.

3. Rural-urban distribution. About 69 per cent rural and 31 per cent urban in 2011. Most people live in villages, but the urban share is rising through migration and the growth of towns.

4. Sex ratio. The number of females per 1,000 males: India 943 (2011). Highest among states: Kerala (above 1,000); lowest among states: Haryana. Low ratios arise from a preference for sons, neglect of girls' health and nutrition and sex-selective practices, which are illegal; male out-migration can raise the ratio in the villages the men leave.

5. Formulae. Density = population / area. Sex ratio = (number of females / number of males) x 1,000. Percentage = part / whole x 100.

6. Link with development. Where people are well fed, healthy and educated, they form human capital. A balanced sex ratio shows gender equality in care and opportunity; an uneven distribution calls for planning of services and jobs in crowded and in remote areas.

Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India: key facts

Population density: $D e n s i t y = p o p u l a t i o n / a r e a ∣ U ni t : p er so n s p er s q k m ∣ I n d ia 2011 : 382 p er so n s p er s q k m$
Sex ratio: $S e x r a t i o = (f e ma l es / ma l es) x 1, 000∣ I n d ia 2011 : 943∣ K er a l aab o v e 1, 000∣ H a r y ana l o w es t am o n g s t a t es$
Rural-urban: India 2011: about 69 per cent rural | About 31 per cent urban
Population 2011: About 121 crore people
Most populous state Uttar Pradesh
Highest density Bihar
Lowest density Arunachal Pradesh

	About 121 crore people
Most populous state	Uttar Pradesh
Highest density	Bihar
Lowest density	Arunachal Pradesh

How to answer Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India questions

For sex ratio and density, write the formula, substitute and give the unit.

1For distribution, name the region, the physical or economic reason and a state example.
2For meaning, include number, quality and the producer-consumer idea.
3Use Census 2011 figures exactly.
4Link resources to development in one line.

Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

A village survey

Suppose a survey of a village records 4,800 males and 4,512 females, and the village covers 12 sq km.

Find the sex ratio and the population density of the village.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Sex ratio = 4,512 / 4,800 x 1,000 = 940 females per 1,000 males.
Population = 4,800 + 4,512 = 9,312.
Density = 9,312 / 12 = 776 persons per sq km.

Answer: Sex ratio 940; density 776 per sq km.

Memory hook: Females over males, times 1,000.

Tricks to remember Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

943 and 382
Sex ratio 943, density 382: India's 2011 numbers.
Use it when: Census facts.
Plains and coasts crowd, peaks and sands empty
Dense: Northern Plains, Kerala; sparse: high Himalaya, Thar.
Use it when: Distribution.
Female over male, thousand
India measures females per 1,000 males.
Use it when: Sex ratio.

Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Meaning · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

What are human resources? Why is a large population not always an asset?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Human resources are the people of a country considered as a resource: their number, health, knowledge and skills.
A large population is an asset (human capital) only when it is healthy, educated and skilled.
Otherwise it becomes a burden on resources.

Answer: People as a resource; an asset only if healthy, educated and skilled.

Example 2: Census facts · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

State the population, density and sex ratio of India according to the 2011 Census.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

About 121 crore people.
Density 382 persons per sq km; sex ratio 943 females per 1,000 males.

Answer: 121 crore; 382 per sq km; 943.

Example 3: Sex ratio sum · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

A town has 2,50,000 males and 2,35,000 females. Find the sex ratio and compare it with the all-India figure.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Sex ratio = 235,000 / 250,000 x 1,000 = 940.
India (2011) = 943.
940 is 3 lower than 943, so the town is slightly below the national ratio.

Answer: 940; slightly below India's 943.

Example 4: Density sums · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

A state has an area of 2.4 lakh sq km and a population of 9.6 crore. (a) Find its density. (b) Compare it with India's 382.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(a) Area = 240,000 sq km; population = 96,000,000.
Density = 96,000,000 / 240,000 = 400 persons per sq km.
(b) 400 is greater than 382, so the state is denser than the national average.

Answer: (a) 400 persons per sq km (b) higher than 382.

Example 5: Explain the pattern · 4 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Explain why the Northern Plains are densely populated and the Thar Desert and high Himalaya sparsely populated, using at least three factors.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Northern Plains: fertile alluvial soil, water from rivers and flat land support farming and settlement.
Thar: very dry, so agriculture is limited.
High Himalaya: cold, rugged and steep terrain, hard for farming and building.

Answer: Soil, water and flat land favour the plains; aridity and rugged cold terrain limit the Thar and Himalaya.

Where students lose marks in Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Reversing the sex ratio formula
Writing males per 1,000 females instead of females per 1,000 males gives the wrong ratio (about 1,064, not 940).
Wrong working
Sex ratio = 4,800 / 4,512 x 1,000
Right working
Sex ratio = 4,512 / 4,800 x 1,000 = 940
Do this: Females in the numerator for the Indian method.
Usually costs: 2 marks.
Mistake: Mixing density with population
Total population is quoted as density.
Do this: Density is persons per sq km: 382 for India.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Wrong state for highest or lowest figures
Kerala and Haryana swapped.
Do this: Highest sex ratio: Kerala; lowest among states: Haryana.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Saying a large population is always an asset
The condition of health, education and skills is left out.
Do this: Add "if healthy, educated and skilled".
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Quote Census 2011 figures exactly and say "2011 Census".
Show formula, substitution and unit in every sum.
Give a physical reason and an economic reason in distribution answers.
Do not claim the figures are the latest; the chapter works with the 2011 Census.

Practice questions on Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
The state with the highest sex ratio in India (2011) is:
(a) Haryana
(b) Kerala
(c) Bihar
(d) Uttar Pradesh
Hint
Above 1,000.
Answer
(b) Kerala.
Q2 · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level
Define human resource development (HRD).
Hint
Improving quality.
Answer
Improving the quality of people through education, health care, training and nutrition so that they become more productive.
Q3 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level
What are the causes of a low sex ratio in some parts of India? State any two.
Hint
Social attitudes.
Answer
Preference for sons and neglect of girls' health and nutrition; sex-selective practices, which are illegal.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
The population of a district is 18 lakh with 9.6 lakh males. Find its sex ratio.
Hint
Females = total - males.
Answer
Females = 18 - 9.6 = 8.4 lakh. Sex ratio = 8.4 / 9.6 x 1,000 = 875 females per 1,000 males.
Q5 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level
Assertion (A): Male out-migration can raise the sex ratio in a village.
Reason (R): Sex ratio counts the number of females per 1,000 males present in the area.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.
Hint
Fewer men, same women.
Answer
(a).
Q6 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
Compare the rural and urban population of India (2011) under: share, main occupations and trend.
Hint
Use percentages.
Answer
Rural: about 69 per cent; mostly farming and other primary work; share falling slowly. Urban: about 31 per cent; manufacturing and services; share rising through migration and growth of towns.
Q7 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency
Country A has 30 crore people and 30 lakh sq km of land; Country B has 12 crore people and 3 lakh sq km. (a) Find each density. (b) Which is more likely to feel resource pressure? (c) What else must we know before calling it over-populated?
Hint
Convert crore and lakh.
Answer
(a) A: 300,000,000 / 3,000,000 = 100 per sq km; B: 120,000,000 / 300,000 = 400 per sq km. (b) B. (c) Its resources, technology, jobs and living standards, because density alone does not prove over-population.
Q8 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
"Japan shows that people can be a resource." Explain using the idea of human resource development and relate it to India.
Hint
Few natural resources.
Answer
Japan has few natural resources but invested in education, health and skills, which made its people productive and helped it become developed. India, with a large population, can do the same by raising literacy, health and skills so that its people become human capital.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.India's sex ratio (2011)?Show answer
943 females per 1,000 males.
2.India's density (2011)?Show answer
382 persons per sq km.
3.Rural share (2011)?Show answer
About 69 per cent.
4.Most populous state?Show answer
Uttar Pradesh.
5.What does HRD stand for?Show answer
Human resource development.

Human Resources: Meaning, Population Distribution and Sex Ratio in India: frequently asked questions

Why is the sex ratio of Kerala above 1,000?

The chapter records Kerala as the state with the highest sex ratio, above 1,000, linked with its good indicators of health and education.

Is the 2011 Census data still used in the syllabus?

The chapter uses 2011 Census figures, so quote them with the year.

What is human capital?

The skills, knowledge and health of people that make them productive.

Which state has the lowest density?

Arunachal Pradesh.