Chapter 6: Human Resources

These NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 6 notes explain the concept of human resources and why people are considered the ultimate resource. The chapter highlights how population size, skills, education and health influence economic development.

Chapter 6 – Human Resources discusses population distribution, density of population, population change, migration, population composition and population pyramid. It also explains the importance of human resource development and demographic dividend in national progress.

This chapter is very important for understanding population geography and development planning and is highly relevant for school exams and BPSC foundation preparation.

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1. Meaning of human resources

• Human resources refer to people and their skills, knowledge, health and abilities.
• People are considered the ultimate resource because they use nature productively.
• Natural resources become useful only when humans apply intelligence and effort.
• A young population can become a demographic advantage if educated and skilled.
• Human resources determine the pace of national development.

2. Why people are a resource

• People discover and develop new resources.
• They create and use technology.
• They organise production and economic activities.
• They drive economic growth and innovation.
• Example: coal underground becomes valuable only when miners and engineers extract it.

3. Distribution of population

• Population distribution means how people are spread over the earth’s surface.
• Over 90% of the world’s population lives on about 30% of land.
• Population is unevenly distributed due to physical and economic factors.
• Some regions are densely populated while others are sparsely populated.
• River valleys and plains attract more population.

4. Geographical factors affecting population distribution

• Topography influences settlement; plains like the Ganga plains are dense while the Himalayas are sparse.
• Climate affects comfort; moderate climates such as Europe attract population compared to the Sahara Desert.
• Soil fertility supports agriculture in the Indo-Gangetic plains.
• Water availability makes river valleys like the Nile Valley densely populated.
• Mineral resources attract workers to mining areas such as the Jharkhand coal belt.

5. Social, cultural and economic factors

• Social facilities like education and healthcare attract people to cities such as Pune.
• Cultural centres like Varanasi draw religious population.
• Economic opportunities in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru attract migrants.
• Industrial development increases urban population.
• Better infrastructure encourages settlement growth.

6. Density of population

• Population density means the number of people living per square kilometre.
• It is calculated by dividing population by area.
• World average density is about 51 persons per square kilometre.
• India’s average density is about 382 persons per square kilometre.
• Smaller area with the same population leads to higher density.

7. Population change

• Population change refers to change in population over time.
• It depends on birth rate, death rate and migration.
• Birth rate is the number of live births per 1,000 people per year.
• Death rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
• Migration alters population size of a region.

8. Natural growth rate

• Natural growth rate is calculated as birth rate minus death rate.
• High birth rate and low death rate result in rapid growth.
• Low birth rate and low death rate lead to slow growth.
• It indicates demographic trends of a country.
• It helps governments in planning development.

9. Migration

• Migration is the movement of people from one place to another.
• Immigration means entering a country, while emigration means leaving a country.
• Countries like USA and Australia gain population through immigration.
• Countries like Sudan lose population through emigration.
• In India, rural to urban migration occurs for jobs, education and healthcare.

10. Patterns of population growth

• Countries show different growth patterns.
• High growth occurs with high birth and falling death rates as in Kenya.
• Low growth occurs with low birth and death rates as in the UK.
• Declining population occurs when birth rate is low and elderly population increases as in Japan.
• Growth pattern affects economic planning.

11. Population composition

• Population composition refers to the structure of population by age, sex, literacy, occupation and health.
• It shows the characteristics of a population.
• It helps in planning schools, jobs and healthcare.
• Age structure determines dependency ratio.
• Literacy level indicates development status.

12. Population pyramid

• A population pyramid shows age and sex composition of a population.
• An expanding pyramid has a broad base and high birth rate, as in Kenya.
• A stable pyramid shows moderate growth, as in India.
• A declining pyramid has a narrow base and more elderly people, as in Japan.
• It helps in understanding demographic trends.

13. Dependent and working population

• Dependents include children (0–14 years) and elderly (65+ years).
• Working population includes people aged 15–64 years.
• Working population forms the economically active group.
• Higher working population can boost economic growth.
• India has a large working-age population.

14. Quality of human resources

• Quality depends on education, health, skills and training.
• Healthy and educated people are more productive.
• Skilled labour increases economic efficiency.
• Investment in human capital improves development.
• Population becomes an asset only when skilled and healthy.

15. Human resource development

• Human resource development (HRD) means improving people’s abilities.
• Education increases knowledge and skills.
• Skill training improves employability.
• Healthcare ensures productivity.
• Government initiatives support human development.

16. India’s demographic situation

• India has a large population.
• Population distribution is uneven.
• The country has a young age structure.
• Urbanisation is increasing rapidly.
• The main challenge is converting population quantity into quality.

17. NCERT high-priority focus areas

• Population distribution and density concept.
• Causes of population change.
• Migration and its types.
• Population pyramid and composition.
• Human resource development and demographic dividend.

18. Important keywords with definitions

• Human resource: People and their abilities, skills and knowledge.
• Population density: Number of people per square kilometre.
• Migration: Movement of people from one place to another.
• Birth rate: Number of live births per 1,000 people per year.
• Death rate: Number of deaths per 1,000 people per year.
• Population pyramid: Graph showing age and sex structure of population.
• Demographic dividend: Economic advantage from a large working-age population.

Understanding NCERT Class 8 Geography Chapter 6 is essential to learn how population characteristics influence economic and social development. The chapter clearly explains population density, migration, age structure and human resource development.

The ideas discussed help students understand demographic trends and development challenges. It is highly useful for school examinations and BPSC foundation studies.

You have now completed NCERT Class 8 Geography. You may revise all chapters together for a strong conceptual foundation and exam preparation.

FAQs

Q1. Why are people called the ultimate resource?
Because people use their knowledge and skills to develop and utilise natural resources.

Q2. What is population density?
Population density is the number of people living per square kilometre.

Q3. What is migration?
Migration is the movement of people from one place to another.

Q4. What is a population pyramid?
It is a graphical representation showing age and sex composition of a population.

Q5. Why is Chapter 6 important for exams?
It explains population concepts, migration and human resource development, which are important for school exams and BPSC preparation.

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