1. Literacy

An individual who is 6 years old or above and who can read, write and understand any one language is said to be ‘literate’. The literacy rate has been rising consistently in India and this is a positive sign. In 1901 the literacy rate in India was 5.35 % and this has increased to 74.04% in 2011. It is highest in Kerala at 93.91 %. In Gujarat, the literacy rate is 79.31 %.

2. Age structure

The population of the nation comprises of three age groups:

1. Children – 0 to 14- year-olds,

2. Adults-15 to 59-year-olds and

3. Senior citizens – those aged 60 years or above.

According to 2001 census – 35 – 40 % population is below 18 years, 7-10% is senior citizens and the rest is adults. Japan has the highest proportion of senior citizens.

3. Population composition

The classification of total population into various categories is called ‘population composition.’ Categorization is done according to male-female, age, rural-urban, religion, linguistic groups, etc.