Q."A growing population can be both a resource and a burden for the economy." Explain this statement with reference to India.

A young, growing working-age population is a demographic dividend if productively employed, but the same trend becomes a burden if education, skills, and jobs fall short.

Population growth in India is genuinely double-edged, and which side dominates depends on how

well the economy converts a growing population into productive activity.

As a resource. India's working-age population (roughly 15–59 years) has been growing large

relative to its dependent population, creating a demographic dividend — a window in which a

larger share of people are potentially productive, savings can rise, and the domestic market

expands. If matched with adequate education, skill development, and job creation, this can

meaningfully accelerate economic growth.

As a burden. The same growing population strains limited land, water, food, and

infrastructure (Section 6), and if the economy cannot generate enough jobs to match a growing

labour force, the result is rising unemployment and underemployment rather than higher output.

An under-educated, under-skilled, or under-employed young population represents wasted

productive potential rather than a productive asset — turning the identical demographic trend

into a burden.

The key lesson: population growth by itself is neither good nor bad for development — its …