Introduction
When considering
The field of demography the term population is taking a significant place. In 18th
Century scientist likes Malthus try to acquaint the importance of the
community. Based on that, in present studying about community took
significant place why it directly impacts to the economy and economic
development (Silva, 2004). To determine
demand and supply quantities population and demographic factors such as marital
status, age, and sex differences are affected. Therefore population is essential
as a not only independent but also dependent variable to the economy and economic
development (Myint, 1966). The tool of
analyzing the community by using graphically is known as a population pyramid.
The shape of the population pyramid profoundly affects the economy of the country.
Factors determine the population.
When considering
the concept of population, so many factors can identify to relate to it. Among
those factors, fertility mortality and international migration are primary factors.
1.
Mortality
Mortality is one
of the most crucial factor which decides the shape of the population pyramid and also
It is an essential factor to determine the natural growth of the population. To implement
public health program and to take administration decision that factor is
directly affected.
2.
Fertility
Among mortality,
fertility, and migration, pregnancy is the main factor that decides the size of
the population. Live births, stillbirths and spontaneous and abortion are included
in the reproduction. But the live delivery is essential to the community and
its growth.
3.
International
migration
Migration is a
movement from one geographical area to another area. The term
international migration means that moving between the two countries. It also
determines the population of a nation.
1.
Age –sex and other
structure
The analysis of
Age sex- the structure of a population is an essential dimension of the demography of
any country. And also populations with different types of age and sex structure
have a different implication for future need and economy. As well as the shape of
the population pyramid highly depends on the Age of the population.
2.
Urbanization
In here, people migrate
to the administrative district. That occurs in within the country.
3.
Marital status
This is the primary
factor that decides the fertility. The late marriages are caused by the
reduction of fertility. And it is affected to change the shape of the population
pyramid because fertility is the base of the population pyramid.
Population pyramid of Sri Lanka between 1948-1977
Usually, the concept
of population pyramid says the whole population divides into various age
groups and represents it according to the percentage of male and female. (Appendix
01)
The statistics
published by Department of Census and Statistics shows the population of Sri
Lanka is increasing bit by bit. In the year 1953, the community in Sri Lanka is
8097895. Respectively in 1963 and 1971, it is 10582064 and 12689897. The
statistics are showing the trend of increasing population. Free health system
and other advanced methods are helped increase the community here.
(Appendix 02)
The shape of
population pyramid mainly depends on Fertility, Mortality, and international
migration.
According to
Census statistic in 1946, the population of the country consisted of 3.53 million males
and 3.12 million female. When it converts to the sex ratio, there are 113 males
per 100 female in 1946. That male-female admixture has changed within the period.
In 1953 less than 15 populations were 39.7%,
between 15-59 is 54.9% and above 60 are 5.4% out of the total population.
Respectively in 1963 & 1971 that percentages are 41.5%, 52.5%, 6% and
39.8%, 53.9%, 6.4%.
Improvement of lifestyle, an increase of income,
growth of sanitation facilities and modernization of society are cause to
reduce mortality level and increase fertility level in Sri Lanka between
1948-1977 periods. Within the period, the gap between mortality and
fertility took high value. In 1963 Child woman ratio of Sri Lanka is 680 per
1000 woman. With the time that rate is gradually decreased.
Before the
Independent the British colonial governor's import South Indian labors to work
in the plantation sector. After 1950 the international migration has negatively
affected the Sri Lankan population growth. There are two reasons are cause to
reduce the Sri Lankan population. Those are the repatriation of South Indian Labors and
the rise of foreign employment demand of Sri Lankan labors. During 1950, 1960
and early half of 1970 was migrated educated person and their families to Europe,
UK, Australia and the United States settle down here.
During the period
1946-1953 the Anuradhapura district (including Polonnaruwa also) has highest
internal migration. In this period, the urban population and aggregate, the population
increased at 2.8%. But the period 1953-63 the urban population is proliferating than aggregate. During 1946-1981 period, Colombo district absorbed massive
internal migration. (Department of Census and Statistic 1986)
When analyzing the
population pyramid between the period in 1950, 1953 and 1960, the shape of
the population pyramid takes a standard triangle shape. But when it comes to 1970s, the
form of the monument has changed. In 1950 and 1953, the base of the pyramid take larger
values, and top of the population pyramid has made small cost. That’s mean the
economy has maintained a high fertility rate and optimal mortality rate. But in
1970s base of pyramid reduces the inconsiderable amount. So that the triangle shape
of the monument has changed that period.
Economic Impact of the Population Pyramid between the
periods 1948-1977
After achieving
Independent, the rate of mortality, is gradually decreasing in Sri Lanka. In this
period, the fertility rates also highly increase. Therefore in Sri Lanka
population is rapid increase. The reported highly enhancement rate is 2.8% in
that period. In 1963-71, the fertility rate steadily decreased to 2.3%.
Respectively in
1946, 1953, 1963, the workforce greater than children. And also the percentage
of children is higher than the rate of elders (above 60). Therefore the
working force can bear the pressure of dependent. In 1950s base of population
pyramid (Children within 0-4 years) take higher value than other age groups.
Increase of fertility rate cause to that situation. Age sex structure of
the country has significant implication on the present and future economy of the country.
According to Census data, sex ration is timely decreased. That’s mean female
population increase than the male population. Among that female's small percentage
contribution to the GDP of the country. Therefore that is a burden to the development
of land (Menike, 2017).
Total dependency
ratio fluctuates within the period 1946-1971. The child dependency ratio
reduces deeply in1963. and the old dependency ratio steadily increase within
1946-1971. In the 1950s, the more aged dependency ratio is smaller than the child dependency
ratio. But when it comes to 1970s that situation is reciprocal than previous.
That situation affects the future economic condition of the country. Reducing
fertility effect to the reducing future working force of the economy. As well as
increasing of elderly people additional burden to the rising power. They have
to spend more money to look after them and also the government has to spend more
money on their welfare facilities.
In 1953 the male
life expectancy was 58.8 years and female lesser than 1.3. In 1962 males are
63.3 and females are 63.7. In 1972 the situation was contradictory than in 1953. Female
life expectancy is higher 2.9 than male. By considering that period, the
population pyramid shows the percentage of females is higher than the
percentage of male. Since 1960 the fertility rate is steadily decreased. Early
1960 accounted that the gap between birth and death is very high. But with the
time, the difference between birth and death is narrow down. That is a reason the
change the shape of the population pyramid. And also natural growth is decline so
that. Therefore since the 1970s can identify aging the population.
The population is increasing colonial period because they import South Indian labors to work in
estates. But after independence, the South Indian labors went to their motherland, and Sri Lankan skilled people went abroad to earn money. Therefor after
independent, the international migration negatively affect the population of
Sri Lanka. Because the removal of immigration barriers educated person and their
families went to foreign countries. From this era start the brain drain of Sri
Lanka. Since the late 1970s, international labor out-migration identified and
creates additional employment opportunities. (Karunarathne, 2007)
The period
1946-1953 has identified the highest migration rate in the Anuradhapura district. In
1962 the Department of Nation panning recommended the government should pay
more attention to the problem of the agricultural sector and rural development. In
1946-81 period Colombo district absorbed large population. Name some zone as
an urban area, and newly identified Municipal council are caused to the increasing
population in the western province. From this period it starts to urbanize in that
province. Therefore the government has to more attention on infrastructure facility
and other facilities.
