The Indian demographic scenario is characterized by large regional variations in population trends, uneven human development, adverse sex ratios, growing urbanization, and internal rural-to-urban migration. This handbook provides a comprehensive understanding of the population-development linkages through an engagement with human development, human rights, and gender justice perspectives.

The linkages between population size, birth rates, economic well-being, environmental sustainability, and economic growth are complex. The volume uses the latest Census and National Family Health Survey data, this volume analyses a wide range of topical issues-food security, fertility, opportunities for the youth and the girl child, media and public health, and women's empowerment. Identifying past trends and future challenges, the volume calls for a more humane approach to population stabilization and endorses the popular tenet-'take care of people and the population will take care of itself'.