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Population of India in the
New Millennium: Census 2001
The introduction itself covers the Indian census perspective over the years. It lists the different methodologies adopted in different census periods, particularly after Independence. It also gives a complete list of census tables which have either been already generated or are being processed by the Registrar General of India, along with the series and table numbers for the ready reference of the data user. In addition, the book examines several other population-related aspects, including growth patterns (with a detailed analysis of population size, sex-wise and age-wise composition and distribution), urbanisation, marriage patterns, religious composition, literacy and educational attainment, and economic characteristics. The book concludes with the listing of a demographic profile of Indian voters and knowing the impact of lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 years. The book contains some interesting findings. The growth patterns of India’s population can be categorised in three parts—1921 as the year of great divide (since then India’s population is continuously rising), 1951 marks the beginning of a period of rapid population growth and 1981 is the breakpoint year when a high growth rate of population registered some definite signs of slowing down. Out of 593 districts at the time of 2001 census, 90 districts had real high decadal growth rate (above 30%) while 58 districts (with majority in Kerala and Tamil Nadu) recorded a growth rate (below 10%). The density of population is quite high in several districts (60 districts above 1,000, including 10 districts above 12,000 persons). Urban population constitutes 28 per cent of the total population with Tamil Nadu followed by Maharashtra and Gujarat being most urbanised. Overall sex ratio remains unfavourable to females. The absolute number of illiterates in India declined for the first time in 2001 Census though among the states only Kerala, Goa, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra recorded literacy rate above 75 per cent. The religious composition of census data shows that the Hindus form the largest religious community followed by the Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. A chapter on economic characteristics examines the trends in work participation rate during 1901-2001 and lists the variations in work by sex, age and rural-urban differences. It ends with an interesting conclusion on future employment scenario and points out that liberalisation, globalisation and considerable growth of the tertiary sector, especially expansion of white-collar jobs in the Indian economy and focus on traditional sectors of education and health would considerably change the nature of employment patterns in India. On the whole, the book is analytical, presents a comparative picture, comments on population aspects examining both the old and new definitions, brings out inter-state disparities and deals with complex demographic concepts in a simple and holistic manner.
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Census