Urbanization trend in the eight states covering half of the India's population

Empowered Action Group states namely, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Odisha and Rajasthan are home to half of India’s population as seen in its recent census, 2011. 

Bihar, the third most populous State in India, with a population of 103.80 million persons has recorded the highest decadal growth.  Bihar comprise of just 94 thousand sq. km. area and thus its population density is high at 1102 per sq. km. The population of the state grew by 25 percent during 2001-11, whereas the growth for urban population had been much higher at 35 percent during the period. Nearly one tenth (11%) of the population comprising 11.7 million persons live in 199 towns and cities. The state has the highest density, but urbanization is the lowest at just 11%.

The State of Jharkhand was created as 28th State of the Indian Union from the erstwhile state of Bihar.  The population of the state is 33 millions, which accounts for 2.6% of the total population of the country. It has sizeable Tribal population (26.3%). As per the Census 2011, one fourth (24 percent) of the total population of Jharkhand state is living in 228 towns and cities. Half of the urban population in Jharkhand concentrated in four cities namely Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Bokaro and Ranchi. Jharkhand comprise of just 80 thousand sq. km. area and thus its population density is 414 per sq. km. The population of the state grew by 22 percent during 2001-11, whereas the growth for urban population had been much higher at 32 percent during the period.

Uttar Pradesh one of the major state of India comprising of about 241 thousand sq. km. area and is home to over 199.6 million persons i.e. the population density for the state is 828 per sq. km. The population of the state grew by 20.1% during 2001-11, whereas the growth for urban population had been much higher at 28.8 percent during the period. Nearly one fourth (over 22%) of the population comprising 44.5 million persons live in 915 towns and cities. As in the rest of the country, the urbanization in Uttar Pradesh is top heavy i.e. few large cities comprise a large proportion of the urban population.

Uttarakhand comprise of about 53.5 thousand sq. km. area and is home to over 10.1 million persons i.e. the population density for the state is 189 per sq. km. The population of the state grew by 19.2% during 2001-2011, whereas the growth for urban population had been much higher at 41.9 percent during the period. Nearly one third (31%) of the population comprising 3.1 million persons live in 116 towns and cities. As in the rest of the country, the urbanization in Uttarakhand is top heavy i.e. few large cities comprise a large proportion of the urban population.

Madhya Pradesh one of the major state of India comprising of about 3.08 lakh sq. km. area and is home to over 72.6 million persons i.e. the population density for the state is 236 per sq. km. The population of the state grew by 20.3% during 2001-11, whereas the growth for urban population had been much higher at 25.6 percent during the period. Nearly one fourth (28%) of the population comprising 20.1 million persons live in 476 towns and cities. As in the rest of the country, the urbanization in Madhya Pradesh is top heavy i.e. few large cities comprise a large proportion of the urban population.

Chhattisgarh one of the major state of India comprising of about 135 thousand sq. km. area and is home to over 25.5 million persons i.e. the population density for the state is 189 per sq. km. The population of the state grew by 22.6% during 2001-11, whereas the growth for urban population had been much higher at 41.8 percent during the period. Nearly one fourth (23%) of the population comprising 5.9 million persons live in 182 towns and cities. As in the rest of the country, the urbanization in Chhattisgarh is top heavy i.e. few large cities comprise a large proportion of the urban population.

Rajasthan the largest Indian state in terms of area (3,42,239 sq.km.) and is home to over 68.6 million persons. Whereas the population of the state grew by 21.4% during 2001-2011, the growth for urban areas has been much higher at 29.3 percent.  One fourth (25%) of the population comprising 17.1 million persons live in 297 towns and cities. As in the rest of the country, the urbanization in Rajasthan is top heavy i.e. few large cities comprise a large proportion of the urban population.

Odisha one of the major state of India comprising of about 156 thousand sq. km. area and is home to over 41.9 million persons i.e. the population density for the state is 269 per sq. km. The population of the state grew by 14% during 2001-11, whereas the growth for urban population had been much higher at 26.8 percent during the period. Nearly 7 million persons live in 223 towns and cities. As in the rest of the country, the urbanization in Odisha is top heavy i.e. few large cities comprise a large proportion of the urban population.