Census 2011: Karnataka’s population up

According to the new census, Karnataka’s population has risen to 6,11,30,704  from 5,28,50,562 in 2001; but the new data reveals an important fact: the rate of growth has come down to 15.7% from 17.5% in 2001. Incidentally, the figure is lower than the national average of 17%.

The state has registered a marginal increase in the literacy rate as well. The literacy rate stands at 75.6% compared to 66.6% in 2001. Compared to the other southern states, Karnataka’s literacy rate has recorded the highest growth.

The effective male literacy stands at 82.8% this year compared to 82.8% in 2001, while the effective female literacy has risen from 56.9 % in 2001 to 68.1 % this year. The effective density of population has gone up to 319 persons per square kilometre, as compared to 276 persons per square kilometre.

The proportion of child population between the 0-6 age group is 11.2 lakh; in 2001 it stood at 13.6 lakh. The sex ratio, too, has improved. The sex ratio has gone up from 965 females per 1000 males in 2001 to 968. But the child sex ratio (between 0-6 years of age) has declined. The figure has slipped to 943 from 946 in 2001.