Population growth contained, but sex ratio still skewed

Though statistics show a growth of 16 percent in last ten years, there is actual reduction population of the state thanks to measures taken by the government. Decadal population growth rate in the state has reduced by 6.74 percentage points during 2001-11 as against 3.8 per cent points at national level, the highest reduction in population growth rate in Maharashtra so far, according to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2013–14.

Maharashtra is showing signs of a controlled population growth with negligible improvement in sex ratio. The sex ratio in 2001 was 922, which rose to 929 in 2011. The national figure of sex ratio is 943. While the figure for Konkan sits in the bottom at 894, Nagpur is on top of the table at 964.

As per 2011 census, state's population was 11.24 crore, of which, 48.2 per cent comprised women. The good show on this front can be attributed to factors like near-stagnant birth rate, infant mortality rate and death rate over the years

According to the survey, the state has a disabled population of 30 lakh. There are 4.94 crore people engaged in economic activities of whom 4.38 crore were mainstream workers, and the rest marginal workers.

The data shows a rise in crimes against against women and children – 17,800 cases were registered in 12-13, an increase of nearly 600 cases over the previous year. There were 1839 rape cases registered in 2012, which was 1701 in 2011. Offences such as molestation, sexual harassment and domestic violence too have gone up. While offences committed against children have shown an overall decline, rape and abduction of kids have gone up, says the survey.