Social Demography

Uttar Pradesh is most populous province in India. Its 166.05 million people constitute 16.17 per cent of the total population of the country according to Census 2001. In terms of area it ranks fifth among all the provinces of the country. The population density defined as land to human ratio stands at 689 persons per sq km. As a result overall environmental status of the province has been severely affected.

The sex ratio at 898 as per 2001 Census improved as against 876 in 1991, but steep regression was reported in the age group 0 to 6 years to 916 per 1,000 in 2001 from 927 per 1,000 in 1991. It also compares adversely with all India figures, which showed 927 females per 1,000 males. Some districts bordering Delhi and Haryana are showing very disturbing trend in this regard.

Absolute increase in population during 1991-2001 was 34.05 million, giving a decadal growth of 25.80 per cent which is 0.25 percentage points higher than the corresponding growth (15.55 per cent) recorded during the previous decade (1981-1991) and the national average of 22.70 per cent. The absolute increase in population of Uttar Pradesh is more than the population of Canada (31.10 million), Venezuela (24.20 million), and combined population of Australia and New Zealand (22.7 million).

Literacy rate for the province is 57.36 per cent - 70.23 per cent for males and 42.98 per cent for females. Thus, huge disparity in literacy levels between the two sexes still prevails. Poverty and deprivation related indicators present a picture of the level socio-economic well-being, which is absolutely distracting in comparison with most of the provinces of India.

Source: National Family Health Survey II (1997-98)