Previous Year Question
According to the Census of India, 2011 the percentage growth of population in the country during the period of 2001-2011 was:
31.34
17.70
13.31
23.85
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Solution
India's population was about 1.0287 billion in Census 2001 and increased to about 1.2109 billion in the final Census 2011 figures. Thus, the decadal population growth rate during 2001–2011 was approximately 17.70%.
It can also be understood through the formula—
Decadal Growth Rate = [(2011 Population − 2001 Population) / 2001 Population] × 100
Approximately—
[(1.2109 − 1.0287) / 1.0287] × 100 ≈ 17.7%.
The initial Census 2011 release reported population growth of about 17.64%. After the final population figures were incorporated, the rounded decadal growth rate was reported as 17.70%.
This is why older documents may contain both 17.64% and 17.70%.
An important trend is that India's population increased, but the rate of growth declined. The decadal growth rate was about 21.54% during 1991–2001, declining to 17.70% during 2001–2011. This indicates a slowing rate of population increase, not a decline in absolute population.