26% of Maharashtra population resides in 6 cities

As much as 26.6 % of the total population of the state resides in six major cities — Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad and Vasai-Virar. The contribution of these cities towards the state’s urban population is 58.9%, while, interestingly, all six cities enjoy a literacy rate of nearly 90%.

According to the same economic survey, 45.2% of the state population lives in urban areas, as against the national percentage of 31.2. Nagpur, Pune and even Nashik, three major cities of Maharashtra, have a literacy rate above 90%, and above that of Mumbai.

The literacy rate in Mumbai is 90.8%, while Nagpur, Pune and Nashik are the leaders with 93.2%, 91.4% and 91% respectively. Males are way ahead of women in terms of literacy — 89.82% of men as compared to 75.48% women are literate.

The density of population (persons per sq km) in Maharashtra is 365, up from 315 in 2001. Mumbai city and Mumbai suburbs, however, are tops in population density, with 20,925 and 20,038 respectively.

The sex ratio in the state has increased slightly, from 922 in 2001 to 925 in 2011, although it is on lower side in Mumbai city (838), Mumbai suburban (857) and Thane (880).