India's 2011 population 1.21 billion, 17.5 per cent of world

New Delhi (PTI) India's population rose to
1.21 billion people over the last 10 years - an increase by
181 million, according to the new census of the country
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 acounting 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 Indian Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai.
Among the states and Union territories, the northern
state of Uttar Pradesh is the most populous state with 199
million people and South western 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 Capital 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.