DEMOGRAPHIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROFILE OF WEST BENGAL
The
total population of West Bengal as on 1st March 2001 was 80,221,171 registering
an increase of 17.84% over the population of previous census. In terms of
population it holds the fourth position among States and Union Territories of
the country.
Table 1.1.1
Population and Sex Ratio
|
Population |
Decadal
Growth 1991 - 2001 |
||
|
Persons |
80,221,171 |
Persons
|
(+)
17.84 % |
|
Males |
41,487,694 |
Males
|
(+)
16.83 % |
|
Females |
38,733,477 |
Females |
(+)
18.93 % |
|
Sex
Ratio |
934 |
|
|
(Source:
Provisional Population Totals: India. Census of India 2001, Paper 1 of 2001)
Among the States in the country, West Bengal has the highest population density (904 per square kilometer).
|
Population
(0 - 6 years) |
Percentage
of Population |
||
|
Persons |
11,132,824 |
Persons
|
13.88
% |
|
Males |
5,671,152 |
Males
|
13.67
% |
|
Females |
5,461,672 |
Females |
14.10
% |
|
Sex
Ratio |
963 |
|
|
(Source:
Provisional Population Totals: India. Census of India 2001, Paper 1 of 2001)
The sex ratio (i.e. the number of females per thousand males) has improved from 917 in 1991 to 934 in the present census, which is close to the national average of 933.
Table 1.1.3 Literacy
|
Number
of Literates: |
Percentage
of Literates to Total population: |
||
|
Persons |
47,821,757 |
Persons |
69.22
% |
|
Males |
27,784,750 |
Males |
77.58
% |
|
Females |
20,037,007 |
Females |
60.22
% |
(Source:
Provisional Population Total, India Census of India 2001, Paper 1 of 2001)
Total literacy in the State has increased to 69.22% from 57.70% in 1991.