Age Structure Transition in West Bengal and Its Association With Labor Force

A number of distinct stages are observed in demographic growth through which population passes, the stages being collectively known as the Population Cycle or The Theory of Demographic Transition. It is the relationship between fertility and mortality. Demographic Transition is a general model describing the evolution of levels of fertility and mortality over time. It has been devised with particular reference to the experience of developed countries. It is the need of the hour to study on the relationship between age transition and labor force as the volume and the participation of the labor force determines the momentum of economic development. This paper tries to search to understand the demographic transition and age structure change in West Bengal and to study the age structure change at district level of West Bengal. To understand the link between age structure change and labor force participation in West Bengal also explored. Data have been taken from various penal data source. These are: -Census B-series, Sample Registration System (SRS), Bureau of Applied Economics and Statistics, Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections, Planning Commission Report of India, World Data Atlas. For the purpose of the study spectrum software (Demproj) have been used for the projection of future demographic condition like birth rate, death rate, total population, age-sex wise district level and state population, labor force, GDP, new job requirement, dependency ratio etc. Bengal has recorded an improving demographic achievement. It is observed that after the time of 1994 there is a sharp decline in crude birth rate. An important effect of demographic transition in the state is the change in the age structure of the population. Over the years age sex pyramid of West Bengal there has shifted from young to old age population. The trend of 65+ populations has increased substantially. It indicates that life expectancy is improving through the time period 1981 to 2025. According to 2001 census West Bengal had maintained total 18 district (but now Medinipur district divided in two groups). In the near future district like Notrh 24 Parganas, Hugli, Haora, Bardhman, Medinipur, as well as Bankura will have high demographic dividend. It can be said that these districts has high chances of demographic improvement. Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal showing a different demographic condition. It is observed that labor force has doubled with in 2.5 decade and from the age structure transition of this state it has been found that the proportion of 15–64 years age group population increased rapidly, and the 0–14 years population which is generally dependent, has declined. It is also found that with the time West Bengal State Gross Domestic Production increased significantly. And after the year of 2015 the new job requirement will be slightly declining due to increasing GDP and individual savings. Economic condition not so poor, at the time of 2025 it will rapidly increase, as GDP is increasing at a faster rate, due to Demographic Dividend.