INDIA: Signs of Leveling Off

Population growth is a major concern in India. The population increased 21.6% during the 1950s and 24.6% during the ’60s. Last week there were signs that the birth rate is leveling off at last. In announcing the results of the 1971 census, the Indian government noted with pride that the national population stood at just under 547 million, or about 14 million lower than the latest official projection. Since 1967, the government reported, family-planning programs have prevented an estimated 1.3 million births per year.