New Delhi: India's population rose to 1.21 billion people over the last 10 years--an increase by 181 million, according to the new census released Thursday, but significantly the growth is slower for the first time in nine decades.
The population, which accounts for world's 17.5 per
cent population, comprises 623.7 million males and 586.5
million females, said a provisional 2011 Census report. China
is the most populous nation accounting for 19.4 per cent of the
global population.
The country's headcount is almost equal to the combined
population of the United States, Indonesia, Brazil, Pakistan,
Bangladesh and Japan put together, it said.
The population has increased by more than 181 million
during the decade 2001-2011, the report said. The growth rate
in 2011 is 17.64 per cent in comparison to 21.15 per cent in
2001.
The 2001-2011 period is the first decade -- with
exception of 1911-1921 -- which has actually added lesser
population compared to the previous decade, Registrar General
of India and Census Commissioner of India C Chandramauli said
in presence of Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai.
Among the states and Union territories, Uttar Pradesh
is the most populous state with 199 million people and
Lakshadweep the least populated at 64,429.
The combined population of UP and Maharashtra is
bigger than that of the US.
The highest population density is in Delhi's
north-east district (37,346 per sq km) while the lowest is in
Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh (just one per sq km).
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.
"This is a matter of grave concern," Chandramauli
said.
According to the data, literates constitute 74 per
cent of the total population aged seven and above and
illiterates form 26 per cent.
The literacy rate has gone up from 64.83 per cent in
2001 to 74.04 per cent in 2011 showing an increase of 9.21 per
cent.
PTI
With every Indian above 15 years of age being photographed and fingerprinted, the data collected will be used to roll out the 16-digit unique identification card under Nandan Nilekani's stewardship.
The report will provide the latest picture on socio-economic front for the country. Nearly 2.1 million officials were employed in this exercise to visit every structure serving as a home across 630,000 villages and 5,000 cities.
They also took note of the availability of toilets, drinking water, electricity, as well as the type of building materials for a comprehensive picture of Indian housing. Besides, the enumerators also collected information on Internet, mobile phone and bank account usage.
First Published: Thursday, March 31, 2011, 15:15