Question

Explain the decennial growth rate of urban population.

Hint:

Decennial growth rate shows the pace of urbanization over decades. India's urban growth rate peaked in 1971-81 and has been declining since, though absolute urban population continues to grow. This indicates maturation of the urbanization process.

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition of decennial growth rate.
Decennial growth rate refers to the percentage increase in urban population over a ten-year period (from one census to the next). It is calculated using the formula: \[ \text{Decennial Growth Rate} = \frac{\text{Population in current year} - \text{Population in previous year}}{\text{Population in previous year}} \times 100 \]
Step 2: Analysis of decennial growth rates from the table.

• 1961-1971: 38.23%
  • Moderate growth rate
  • Urban population increased from 78.94 million to 109.11 million
  • Post-independence urbanization phase with industrial development
• 1971-1981: 46.14%
  • Highest decennial growth rate in the table
  • Rapid urbanization during this period
  • Due to industrial expansion, Green Revolution benefits, and migration to cities
  • Urban population increased to 159.46 million
• 1981-1991: 36.47%
  • Decline from the previous decade's peak
  • Urban population reached 217.61 million
  • Growth rate still substantial but showing signs of stabilization
• 1991-2001: 31.13%
  • Further decline in growth rate
  • Urban population increased to 285.36 million
  • Despite lower growth rate, absolute increase was significant (about 67.75 million)
  • Possible reasons: economic reforms, but also growing urban congestion

Step 3: Factors influencing decennial growth rates.

• Economic factors: Industrialization, employment opportunities in cities
• Social factors: Better education, healthcare, and amenities in urban areas
• Migration: Rural-to-urban migration for better livelihood
• Natural increase: Higher birth rates in urban areas during earlier decades
• Reclassification: Villages reclassified as towns when they meet urban criteria
• Government policies: Industrial policies, urban development programs

Step 4: Trend analysis.
The decennial growth rate of urban population shows:

• An increasing trend from 1961 to 1981 (peaking at 46.14%)
• A declining trend from 1981 onwards (36.47% in 1991, 31.13% in 2001)
• Despite declining growth rates, absolute numbers continue to increase significantly
• Reflects the maturation of urbanization process and possible saturation in some metropolitan areas

Answer: The decennial growth rate of urban population represents the percentage increase in urban population over a ten-year period. From the table, it increased from 38.23% (1961-71) to a peak of 46.14% (1971-81), then declined to 36.47% (1981-91) and further to 31.13% (1991-2001). This indicates rapid urbanization in the 1970s followed by a gradual slowdown in growth rate, though absolute urban population continues to rise substantially.