IIMAD–PFI Report on the Population of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Why in News

A new national-level report by the International Institute for Migration and Development (IIMAD) and the Population Foundation of India (PFI) provides a detailed analysis of population growth in the Indian island groups of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

About the IIMAD–PFI Report

• Title: ‘Unravelling India’s Demographic Future: Population Projections for States and Union Territories 2021-2051’
• It presents future population projections for all of India’s states and union territories.
• The report adopts a different mathematical approach, particularly for smaller states and island union territories, as decadal population growth rates for these regions have been highly volatile and do not show a clear trend.

Key Findings

• According to the report, the population of Lakshadweep is expected to increase by 9.68% and that of Andaman and Nicobar by 5.73% by 2051.
• The population of Lakshadweep was 67,642 in 2016 and is projected to increase to 74,194 by 2051.
  • The male population is expected to increase from 34,716 to 37,785 and the female population from 32,926 to 36,319.
• The population of Andaman and Nicobar was 398,310 in 2016 and is projected to increase to 421,135 in 2051.
  • The male population is expected to increase from 213,467 to 226,139, and the female population from 184,843 to 194,996.
• Traditional SRS data is insufficient for small states and union territories, so mathematical methods, specifically logistic curve fitting, were used.

Significance

• This report is important for policymakers because planning for issues such as the limited geographical capacity of islands, resource management, health infrastructure, water conservation, and housing, depends on population projections.
• Population growth in small islands has a direct impact on environmental sustainability, tourism, employment, and living standards.
• The report helps understand India's overall demographic future and highlights the need for specific strategies in areas where data constraints and erratic growth rates make policymaking challenging.