India’s Decadal Growth Rate of Population Trend from 1951 to 2011 by States, As per Census 2011

India’s decadal population growth rate shows a distinct pattern over the six decades from 1951 to 2011. The national growth rate peaked at 24.8% during 1961-1971 and has since shown a gradual decline, reaching 17.7% in 2001-2011. This overall trend reflects India’s demographic transition, influenced by factors such as improved healthcare, education, and family planning initiatives. The state-wise data reveals significant regional variations, painting a complex picture of India’s demographic landscape. Some states consistently maintained high growth rates, while others experienced dramatic fluctuations or steady declines.

Union territories like Chandigarh and Delhi exhibited extremely high growth rates in the earlier decades, reflecting rapid urbanization and migration. Chandigarh’s growth rate was an astounding 394.13% in 1951-1961, gradually decreasing to 17.09% by 2001-2011. Delhi maintained high growth rates above 50% until 1991, showing the continuous influx of population to the national capital. Among larger states, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh consistently showed high growth rates, often above 20%, indicating persistent demographic pressure in these densely populated regions.

Northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Meghalaya maintained relatively high growth rates throughout the period, often exceeding the national average. This trend points to the region’s distinct demographic patterns, possibly influenced by cultural factors and the later onset of demographic transition. Nagaland, in particular, saw exceptionally high growth rates, peaking at 64.53% in 1991-2001, before experiencing negative growth of -0.58% in 2001-2011, likely due to outmigration or data discrepancies. Southern states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka generally showed lower growth rates compared to the national average, especially in later decades. Kerala demonstrated a steady decline in growth rates, from 24.76% in 1951-1961 to just 4.91% in 2001-2011, reflecting its advanced demographic transition characterized by lower fertility rates.

Some states showed fluctuating patterns. Assam’s growth rate dropped significantly from 34.95% in 1961-1971 to 23.36% in 1971-1981, possibly due to political unrest and outmigration during that period. Similarly, Punjab’s growth rate varied and was influenced by historical events and changing economic conditions. The data captures the impact of the creation of new states in 2000. Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand show distinct growth patterns compared to their parent states, highlighting the demographic dynamics of these regions. Smaller union territories like Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu exhibited volatile growth patterns, with Daman & Diu even showing negative growth (-24.56 %) in 1951-1961, followed by high growth rates in subsequent decades.

This comprehensive data underscores India’s complex demographic landscape, shaped by diverse regional factors, including economic development, cultural practices, migration patterns, and varying effectiveness of population policies. The general trend of declining growth rates in most states in recent decades suggests a gradual stabilization of population growth, though significant regional disparities persist. These trends have important implications for policy-making, resource allocation, and development planning across different regions of India, necessitating tailored approaches to address the unique demographic challenges faced by each state and union territory.