THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The population growth rate in the state is moving towards zero or towards negative, says Economic Review 2014 tabled in the Assembly on Thursday.
The growth rate of Kerala’s population during the last ten years is 4.9 per cent, the lowest rate among Indian states. The national rate of growth of population during the last ten years is 17. 6 per cent.
Among the districts, Malappuram has the highest growth rate of 13.4 per cent while Pathanamthitta has the lowest growth rate (-3.0 per cent). Idukki also has a negative growth rate (-1.8 per cent). According to the Economic Review, the population growth rate of six southern districts of Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Thiruvananthapuram are lower.
As per the final data published by the Directorate of Census, Kerala’s population as on March 2011 was 3,34,06,061.
Out of this, 1,60,27,412 (48 per cent) are males and 1,73,78,649 (52 per cent) are females.
When the previous census was taken, the total population figure was 3,18,41,374. Of this, the number of males was 1,54,68,614 (48.6 per cent) and that of females was 1,63,72,760 (51.4 per cent).
The sex ratio of Kerala, according to 2011 Census, had improved by 26 points to reach 1084. The sex ratio of India is 943.
Child population in the state is also showing a declining trend. According to data of 2011 Census there is a negative growth rate of the child population in the state (-8.44 per cent). The child population in 2011 was 3472955 and it was 3793146 as per 2001 census.