Growth rate down, but UP still tops list by Lalmani Verma

For the first time in five decades, Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a decline in the decadal growth rate of its population. According to the data released by the Directorate of Census Operations in Lucknow on Tuesday, the state has registered a decrease of 5.76 per cent, with its population growth coming down from 25.85 per cent in 1991-2001 to 20.09 per cent in 2001-11. However, Uttar Pradesh with its population of 200 million, continues to top the population chart of the country.

Allahabad continues to be the most populous district of the state with a population of 59 lakh, followed by Moradabad at 47 lakh, Ghaziabad (46 lakh), Azamgarh (46 lakh) and Lucknow district (45 lakh).

Among the cities, Lucknow is the largest with a population of 28 lakh, followed by Kanpur at 27 lakh. Gautam Budh Nagar and Ghaziabad recorded the highest population growths of 51.52 per cent and 40.66, respectively, while Kanpur recorded the lowest at 9.79 per cent.

The total number of children in the age group 0-6 years is 29.7 million, recording a decline of 6 per cent as compared to the 2001 census. A decline of 5.18 per cent in the male children and 6.88 per cent in female children’s population has been witnessed. Yet, this is the highest population of children in any state in India.

The sex ratio in the state has gone up to 908. Three districts have more women than men: Jaunpur (1,018), Azamgarh (1,017) and Deoria (1,013). The sex ratio is the lowest in Gautam Budh Nagar and Kanpur — 852 each.

The literacy rate in the state has gone up by 56 per cent during the past one decade to touch 69.72 per cent. Ghaziabad has the highest, 85 per cent, literacy rate. The highest literacy rate for men was recorded at 90.23 per cent in Gautam Budh Nagar while it is 81.42 per cent for women in Ghaziabad. The lowest literacy rate for men and women are 59.55 per cent and 37.07 per cent, respectively, in Shrawasti.