Dynamics of Kerala State of India

As per the data published by the Indian Census authority, Kerala State of India comprise of less than three percent of India’s total population as per 2011 Census.  Its population has grown about 5% during the decade (2001-11), whereas all-India has grown by 17.64% during the corresponding period.  The growth in its urban population was about 93% during the last decade and for the rural it was (minus) 26%.  Now the urbanization in Kerala is about 48%, whereas in 2001 it was observed only 26%.  The highest growth in total population has been observed for the district Malappuram (about 13%) of Kerala, whereas its Idukki district has witnessed lowest growth of about (minus) 2% during the decade i.e. it has downsized in its population. Almost all districts downsized their rural areas except the district Wayanad. 

None of its cities have over one million population.  There are only seven cities with more than one lakh (one-tenth of a million) population.  Its main cities in terms of population are Thiruvananthapuram (capital city) and Kochi. Both are having more than half a million population.  Now there are mostly small (513) and big seven towns and in 2001 there were only 159 towns in Kerala.

Although the urbanization has increased by about 93% from about 26% in 2001, the population pressure has decreased only in Idukki and pathanamthitta districts (which are mainly rural) by about 2 to 3% during the decade.  The decadal growth of females had been more than that of males in the Kerala.  The Kerala share of urban population (48%) is much more than that of All-India (31.2%). 

Kerala is the only state in India with increasing trend in the sex ratio.  The sex ratio for total population of Kerala has further risen during the last decade from 1058 (2001) to 1084 (2011) as against 1004 in the 1901 census.  There had been increase in sex ratio in rural population of Kerala from 1059 in 2001 census to 1077 this census.  Urban sex ratio is now at 1091 as against 1058 in 2001.  The urban sex ratio for the district Wayanad has increased from already lowest level of 994 to level of 1052.  The rural sex ratio for the district Idukki has increased from already lowest level of 992 to level of 1005.    

 As per 2009-10 estimates, there are only 4 million persons who are below the poverty line and they constitute only 12% of its population.  The slums in urban Kerala state are the minimum most and are only 6%, whereas in India it is over 26% as per census 2001.  The percent share of Kerala state slum population in total slum population of India is almost negligible.  The projected slum population for the year 2012 is only 536,057.

As per census 2001, the total number of workers in Kerala were 10,283,887 out of the population of 31,841,374 i.e. around one-third. 

The literacy rate for the year 2011 in case of rural/urban Kerala is respectively 92.92 and 94.99 (the gap is the minimal most in this state).  The literacy in Kerala state is the highest among all the states of India. The literacy rate for the year 2011 for males/females in Kerala is respectively 96.02 and 91.98.  In spite of this, its per capita income at current / constant prices, is much lower than those of Goa, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Pondicherry.  It is Rs. 83,725 and Rs.53,427 respectively at current and constant (2004-05 prices).