Census of India 2011- Population Growth in India

The Indian Census of 2011 highlights drastic changes in the Indian population since 2001. According to the Census, the population increase from 2001-to 2011 is almost equal to adding the entire population of Brazil to India. Besides that, the literacy rate also went up, witnessing a commendable growth in a decade. And even after a significant increase in population, the country saw a decline in the overall population growth rate.

After two rigorous phases of counting, collecting data, and verifying credentials, the list of the population finally came out on March 31, 2011. It contains information about rural, urban, religious, gender, and linguistic populations. Let’s learn more about the 2011 Census of India.

What Is the Census And The History Of the Indian Census?

Census means the official counting of the population and property in a country. The Home Ministry of India conducts the Census through extensive phase surveys and field visits. The Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India head the Census procedures. The officials appointed for the task collect data and move from one place to another to verify their received data. It is a time taking process which takes several months to complete. The result is the verified list of all the citizens in the country and data regarding them.

Census Of India 2011: The Procedure Of Data Collection

Collecting the data of a big population and a large country like India is a tough task. Hence, the Census took place in two phases. The housing list preparation took place in the first phase from April 1, 2010. The data for the National Population Register(NPR) was also collected in the first phase only. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) uses this data to provide a unique identification number to citizens.

The second and final phase took place between February 9 to February 28, 2011. Around 2.7 million officials visited households in 60,000 villages and 7,935 towns of 640 districts of 29 states and 7 union territories of India. 

Conclusions From The Census of India 2011

The Census of India 2011 observed the following changes in the population:-

• An increase of 181.5 million to the 2001 population.

• The total population of India, as per the 2011 Census, is 1,210,854,977.

• The decadal population growth in 2011 was 17.7%.

• The female population in 2011 was 586,469,294, whereas the male population was 623,724,568.

• The literacy rate went up to 74.04%, witnessing a decadal growth rate of 9.21%.

• India had a sex ratio of 940 females for every 1,000 males in 2011.

• There were 490,000 transgender people in the country.

• The child sex ratio was 914 females for every 1,000 males, and the population density was 382 people per sq. km.

• India has 248.8 million households and a religious population of 202.4 million Hindus, 6.3 million Christians, 1.9 million Jains, 31.2 million Muslims, and 4.1 million Sikhs.

• Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state, whereas Sikkim is the least populous state.

• Lakshadweep is the least populated union territory.

Census 2011 Population Village Wise

• As recorded by Census 2011, the village-wise population in India made up 68.84% of the country’s total population. 

• The rural population saw a decline of about 4% as compared to 2001 data of 72.19%

• Census 2011 population village wise was calculated as 833 million.

• The total population growth was 31.16% in rural areas.

• Specialists consider the migration of people from rural areas to urban areas as a major reason behind the decrease in population. 

Urban Population In India Census 2011

• The count of the urban population in India Census 2011 was around 377 million.

• Urban areas saw an increase in absolute population growth to 68.84%.

• The urban areas also saw an overall increase of 3.9 million in the child population. The rural areas saw a decline of 8.9 million.

• The sex ratio in the urban population in India Census 2011 became 926 from 900 in 2001.

• The level of urbanisation saw an increase from 27.81% in 2001 to 31.16% in 2011.

Interesting Facts About Census Of India 2011

• For the first time in the history of the Indian Census, identification took place with the help of biometrics.

• The national Census, for the first time in the history of independent India, includes the caste information of the citizens as well.

• India and Bangladesh had their first-ever joint Census to enumerate the population in the border area.

• The data for Census is in 16 languages, and the training manual is in 18 languages.

• The counting of the transgender population took place for the first time in Census 2011.

Conclusion

The Census of India 2011 is of significant importance as it has many elements of change. From including caste information, using biometrics, including counting transgender to having the first joint census of India and Bangladesh, the Census marks many important events in the history of Census in India. The Census data is also very peculiar as it shows various contrasting elements.

Despite a huge increase in the population of around 181.5 million, the overall population growth is low. The Census 2011 population village-wise saw a decline owing to the migration from rural to urban areas. The urban population in India Census 2011, on the other hand, saw a significant increase.