Thursday, March 31, 2011

Census: India's population growth finally drops-31/3/11

Census: India's population growth finally drops


India's population has been pegged at 1,210.2 million, according to the provisional 2011 Census report released on Thursday in New Delhi. Out of 1,210.2 million people in India there are 623.7 million males and 586.5 million females.

The population is an increase by 181 but significantly the growth is slower for the first time in nine decades. There has been a sharp decline in population growth in the last decade with the growth rate at 17.64% in comparison to 21.15% in 2001 when the last census took place.

Even the sex ratio has improved throughout the country as 29 states show an increase in sex ratio.

But Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and Bihar should be worried registering a fall in the sex ratio. Daman and Diu have featured the worst with only 660 females per 1000 males.

But its the child sex ration which is the worst news from this census. In the 0-6 age group only 914 females per 1000 males and Punjab and Haryana the worst offenders with 846 and 830 females per 1000 males.

The census report also highlights that not only is India very populous but the density of population is also quite high. With Delhi and Chandigarh as the two most densely populated cities. Maybe people from these two cities should move to Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh which has just 1 person per square kilometer.

While releasing the provisional figures Registrar General & Census Commissioner C Chandramouli said that the fall in population growth is the sharpest amongst all the censuses recorded till date.

The 2001-2011 period is the first decade with exception of 1911-1921 which has actually added lesser population compared to the previous decade.

"We have added almost one Brazil to our population in last one decade," said Chandramouli.

According to the Census report India's population is now bigger than the combined population of USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan and Bangladesh and accounts for world's 17.5% population.

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state and the combined population of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra is more than that of the USA. The most populous district is Thane in Maharashtra. The Union Territory of Lakshadweep is the least populated at 64,429.

The Census indicated a continuing preference for male children over female children. The latest child sex ratio in is 914 female against 1,000 male - the lowest since Independence.

"Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar and Gujarat show decline in sex ratio while 29 states show an increase. This is a matter of grave concern," Chandramauli said.

But child sex ratio in the Punjab and Haryana remains worst - 830 in the case of the former and 846 in the case of the latter.

According to the data, literates constitute 74% of the total population aged seven and above and illiterates form 26%.

The literacy rate has gone up from 64.83% in 2001 to 74.04% in 2011 showing an increase of 9.21%.
Tags: population, India, 2011 Census report , sex ratio

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