62.17 pc of Goans live in urban areas -Herald

62.17 pc of Goans live in urban areas May 15, 2013 Rural population has dipped by 18.51 per cent; STs on the rise PANJIM: The urban population in the State has increased rapidly in the last one decade with the Primary Census Abstract (PCA) data of 2011 Census showing a 35.23 percent rise, while rural population has dipped by 18.51 percent. The decadal census data, conducted by the Directorate of Census Operations, also reveals that 62.17 percent of Goa’s population lives in urban areas as against 49 per cent in the year 2001. The total registered population of Goa is more than 14.58 lakh, an increase from 13.47 lakh population recorded in 2001 ~ a rise of 8.23 per cent. The 2011 data includes male population of over 7.39 lakh and 7.19-odd lakh females. “The urban population has risen by 35.23 per cent while the growth in rural population is negative 18.51 per cent. The total number of persons are 14,58,545 which includes 7,39,140 males and 7,19,405 females,” A K Wasnik, Director of Census Operations, told reporters while releasing the data of decadal census held in the year 2011. He said Goa ranks at the top among other smaller states (not including union territories) to have such a huge percentage of population living in urban area. Its population density is 394 according to census in the area spread around 3,702 square kilometers. Literacy has been recorded at 88.70 percent to population aged seven years and above while the population in the age group of zero to six is 1.44 lakh, which is 9.97 per cent of the total population. The disappointment, however, is that the literacy in the rural parts has decreased from 4,82,615 in year 2001 to 4,31,271 in 2011, which is a reduction by 51,344 during the last decade. Besides, there has been exponential growth in the Scheduled Tribe population in the State. The 2011 census has registered more than 1.49 lakh ST people living in Goa as against mere 566 according to the 2001 census. “This growth is because of inclusion of three communities ~ Gawda, Kunbi and Velip in the ST category in 2003. Goa now has 10.23 per cent ST population,” he said. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/62-17-pc-of-Goans-live-in-urban-areas/74507.html