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CHAPTER 2 DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS

2.1 INTRODUCTION The raison d’être of development is to improve the quality of people’s lives by creating an environment for them to engage in wider range of activities, to be healthy and well nourished, to be knowledgeable and to be able to participate in community life. For a nation to achieve sustainable growth it is essential to ensure human development because it aims at enlarging people’s choices and enhances their power to participate actively in the development process. Among human indicators the demographic elements play a very crucial role in the development of any state. Among all resources available in the society ‘people’ or human resources are valued as the most fundamental, human resource is critical because utilization of other resources such as land, capital and the infrastructural development depends to a large extent on the nature of human beings. Population growth and its distribution patterns are very essential to understand the human resource assets, their values and potential use. These exists a two way relationship between Human capital formation, economic development and the income poverty reduction. For instance, investment in health and education can enhance human functioning, which can eventually alleviate income poverty (by improving employability) and further economic growth. Similarly, resources generated through income poverty reduction and economic growth can be used to enhance human functioning. This in turn gives a push to economic growth. (Figure 2.1) This chapter attempts to analyze the human indicators, basically demographic indicators, of Himachal Pradesh at the district level. The purpose of this chapter is to capture the progress in human indicators of the state of Himachal Pradesh to understand the role of these indicators in the state’s development. The attempt has been made to represent the complete demographic profile of the state by selecting the relevant indicators based on the availability of data. The chapter tries to assess

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the geographical dimension of the population concentration in some districts in comparison to others. 2.2 DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS (2001) The chapter focuses mainly on some selected indicators to analyze the demographic profile of the state. The indicators are: (i) Population growth (ii) Population density (iii) Sex ratio (iv) Literacy rate (v) Work participation rate (vi) Level of urbanization (vii) Unemployment 2.2.1 Population Growth (1991-2001) It may be observed from Table 2.1 that the population of Himachal Pradesh has shown an increase of 17.5 percent in 2001 from the previous decade of 1991. In terms of number of population the state population increased from 5170877 in1991 to 6077900 in 2001. It can be assumed that much of the population expansion in the state has been indigenous the contribution of immigrants from other states in India and from other countries are not very significant because of its hilly topography generally manifests the variation in terms of population within the data period. It represents the comparison between the population data of two different times The state of Himachal Pradesh is comprised of 12 districts. Therefore, the district-wise status of population growth and population size is also very significant. There are substantial variations in terms of population growth and population size of districts. On one hand, the district of Lahul and Spiti shows very meager population growth (6.17%) as compared to the Solan district showing an increase of 30.94%. (Fig.2.1)

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Table 2.1 District-wise Population Growth in Himachal Pradesh (1991-2001) District Total

Population (1991)

Total Population

(2001)

Population Growth

(1991-2001) Bilaspur 295387 340735 15.40 Chamba 393286 460499 17.19 Hamirpur 369128 412009 11.80 Kangra 1174072 1338536 14.05 Kinnaur 71270 83950 9.91 Kullu 302432 379865 26.17 Lahul & Spiti 31294 33224 6.17 Mandi 776372 900987 16.10 Shimla 617404 721745 17.02 Sirmaur 379695 458351 20.78 Solan 382268 499380 30.94 Una 378269 447967 18.51 TOTAL 5170877 6077900 17.5 Source: Census of India, 1991 and 2001

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Map 2.1

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On the basis of population growth the districts can be easily classified into three categories: (1) High population growth (More than 20%): There are only three districts

falling under this category. The leading district is Solan (30.94%) followed by Kullu (26.17%) and Sirmaur (20.78%).

(2) Medium population growth (10-20%): This category comprises total seven

districts of the state which shows that the majority of the districts are falling under this category. Over is the leading district with 18.51 per cent population growth in 2001 followed by Chamba (17.19 percent), Shimla (17.02 percent), Mandi (16.10 percent), Bilaspur (15.40 percent), Kangra (14.05 percent) and Hamirpur (11.80 percent).

(3) Low population growth (less than 10%): The category contains two most

remotely settled districts of Kinnaur (9.91 percent) and Lahul & Spiti (6.17 percent). Their topographical extremity plays an important role in their low population growth.

2.2.2 Population Density (2001) Population density is also a very significant indicator in terms to get demographic profile of the state. Through population density it can be identified that which parts of the state comprises major concentration of the population and what could be the reasons behind that major concentration in that particular area. It is a spatial parameter used to estimate the spatial characteristics of population. The population density in the state of Himachal Pradesh was recorded as 109 persons per sq.kms in 2001. In the year of 1991, it was 93 persons per sq.kms so it is clear that the population growth has also shown its effect in the population density of the state (Fig.2.2). At the district level, this variation in terms of land-man ratio is also reflected by the different status of population density in all districts of the state. Total eight districts of the state are showing the population density more than the total average of the

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Table 2.2 District-wise Population Density in Himachal Pradesh (2001) District Area

(sq. kms) Total

Population Density

(Persons/sq.km) Bilaspur 1167 340735 292 Chamba 6528 460499 71 Hamirpur 1118 412009 369 Kangra 5739 1338536 223 Kinnaur 6401 83950 13 Kullu 5503 379865 69 Lahul & Spiti 13835 33224 02 Mandi 3950 900987 228 Shimla 5131 721745 141 Sirmaur 2825 458351 162 Solan 1936 499380 258 Una 1540 447967 291 TOTAL 55673 6077900 109 Source: Census of India, 2001

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Map 2.2

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state i.e. 109 persons per sq.kms. Only four districts of Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahul & Spiti are showing population density less than the state average owing to their invincible topography and extreme climatic conditions in comparison to other districts. (1) High population density (Above 200): The leading district in terms of

population density is Hamirpur with 369 persons per sq.kms followed by Bilaspur (292 persons per sq.kms), Una (291 persons), Solan (258 persons), Kangra (233 persons) and Mandi (228 persons).

(2) Medium population density (100 - 200): There are only two districts of

Sirmaur (162 persons) and Shimla (141 persons) falling in this category. (3) Low population density (Below 100): The districts with less than 100

persons per sq.kms are Chamba (71persons), Kullu (69persons), Kinnaur (13 persons) and Lahul & Spiti (2 persons).

2.2.3 Sex Ratio (2001) Sex ratio generally used to indicate the proportion between men and women in a state. A high sex ratio generally means an excess of females over males in a population and a low sex ratio will indicate a shortage of females and predominance of males. Besides, in terms of level of development the sex-ratio generally manifests the status of women in a society. High sex-ratio in a state generally considered as a positive indicator of social development and vice-versa. As it may be observed that the sex-ratio in the state of Himachal Pradesh is 968 in 2001, which manifest that the men-women ratio is not very unbalanced in the state. However, the average number of females is less than the males but the conditions do not look very alarming at the state level. However, in the state of Himachal Pradesh the overall sex-ratio have been declined from 976 in 1991 to 968 in 2001 but it is still better than the sex-ratio of the country which is 933 females per thousand males for 2001 census (fig.2.3).

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Table 2.3 District-wise Sex Ratio in Himachal Pradesh (2001) District Male

Population Females

Population Sex Ratio

(females per 1000 males)

Bilaspur 171263 169622 992 Chamba 235218 225669 961 Hamirpur 196593 216107 1102 Kangra 1338536 223 1027 Kinnaur 42173 36161 851 Kullu 198016 183555 928 Lahaul & Spiti 18441 14783 804 Mandi 447872 453472 1014 Shimla 380996 341506 898 Sirmaur 241299 217294 901 Solan 270291 230266 853 Una 224524 223749 997 TOTAL 3087940 2989960 968 Source: Census of India, 2001

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Map 2.3

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The variation in terms of sex-ratio is also reflected by the state’s districts. The sex ratio analysis in the state can broadly divided into two groups of the districts – the districts having sex ratio above the state level; the districts having sex ratio below the state level. Hamirpur is the leading district in terms of sex-ratio with 1102 females per thousand males followed by Kangra (1027), Mandi (1014 females), Una (997 females), and Bilaspur (992 females) per thousand males. All these districts are having sex ratio above the state sex ratio. In remaining districts of the state, the sex ratio is below the state sex ratio, they include Chamba (961 females), Kullu (928 females), Sirmaur (901 females), Shimla (898 females), Solan (853 females), Kinnaur (851 females) and Lahul & Spiti (804 females). 2.2.4 Literacy Rate (2001) Literacy adds value to a person’s life and plays a crucial role in his/her overall development. It also adds tremendous value to society at the macro level. There is a strong correlation between lack of literacy and poverty both in the economic sense and in the broader sense of deprivation of capabilities. (Human Development Report, India, 2011). Literacy has made remarkable progress in the state of Himachal Pradesh. At the time of independence, Himachal Pradesh had the lowest level of literacy in India. The literacy rate have improved steadily in the state and in 2001 it ranks 11th among all the states and UTs in India. It is better to distinguish between literacy and education level. Literacy means the proportion of literates to total population whereas educational level relates to stage of schooling and college or other training attained by a person. The overall literacy rate in the state has increased 63.86 in 1991 to 76.5 in 2001. Thus it can be said that the literacy rate has shown considerable improvement during the period 1990-91 to 2000-01.

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The date presented in Table 2.4 reveals that male literacy rate exceeded female literacy rate in the state as well as in all districts. The social structure of the state can be considered as the main cause of this uneven distribution of education. The proportion of total literates in the state (76.5%) is higher than the all India average of 65.38 percent, according to 2001 census (fig.2.4). Table 2.4 District-wise Literacy Rate in Himachal Pradesh (2001) District Male Literacy

Rate (%) Female Literacy

Rate (%) Total Literacy

Rate (%) Bilaspur 86.0 69.5 77.8 Chamba 76.4 68.8 62.9 Hamirpur 90.2 75.7 82.5 Kangra 87.5 73.0 80.1 Kinnaur 84.3 64.4 75.2 Kullu 84.0 60.9 72.9 Lahul & Spiti 82.8 60.7 73.1 Mandi 85.9 64.8 75.2 Shimla 87.2 70.1 79.1 Sirmaur 79.4 60.4 70.4 Solan 84.8 66.9 76.6 Una 87.7 73.2 80.4 TOTAL 85.3 67.4 76.5 Source: Census of India, 2001. The district level date of literacy rate in the state of Himachal Pradesh depicts that all districts of the state can be easily classified into two broad groups: (1) Literacy rate above the State level: This category is leading by Hamirpur

District with literacy rate of 82.5 percent in the district. Hamirpur district is very closely followed by Una (80.4) and Kangra (80.1) districts. Three remaining districts accounting literacy rate above the state average are Shimla (79.1), Bilaspur (77.8) and Solan (76.6).

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Map 2.4

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(2) Literacy rate below the State level: This category is headed by Kinnaur and

Mandi district (both 75.2 percent) showing literacy rate just below the state average. Other districts in the category are Lahul & Spiti (73.1), Kullu (72.9), Sirmaur (70.4) and Chamba (62.9).

2.2.5 Work Force Participation Rate (2001) Work is defined as participation in any economically productive activity with or without compensation, wages or profit, work involves not only actual work but also includes effective supervision and direction of work. All persons engaged in such a ‘work’ are generally defined as workers. On the basis of the duration of work in a year, workers are generally classified as main workers (working period 183 days or more) and marginal workers (working period less than 183 days or six months. Work participation generally reveals the strength of any state through its active population. The high rate of marking population is considered generally as the positive indicator of development and vice versa

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Table 2.5 District-wise Work Force Participation Rate in Himachal Pradesh (2001) District Total

Workers Main

Workers Marginal Workers

Non Workers

Bilaspur 48.95 32.46 16.44 51.10 Chamba 50.00 27.87 22.13 50.00 Hamirpur 49.77 29.05 20.73 50.23 Kangra 43.99 25.14 18.85 56.01 Kinnaur 61.03 51.46 9.57 38.97 Kullu 56.74 43.69 13.05 43.26 Lahul & Spiti 63.47 57.82 5.66 36.53 Mandi 50.40 29.85 20.55 49.60 Shimla 51.24 42.31 8.93 48.76 Sirmaur 49.25 38.36 10.90 50.75 Solan 52.63 34.42 18.21 47.37 Una 44.99 26.57 18.43 55.01 TOTAL 49.24 32.31 16.92 50.76 Source: Census of India, 2001 Table 2.5 shows that the state of Himachal Pradesh accounts almost half of its population as working in the year 2001. However, the share of main working population is only 32.31 percent but still almost 50 percent of the population can be considered as active population that is a positive indicator for development. At the district level, Lahul & Spiti is leading with 63.47 percent of its total population being active. The district is closely followed by Kinnaur (61.03 percent). The other districts with percentage of working population more than the state average are Kullu (56.74 percent), Solan (52.63 percent), Shimla (51.24 percent), Mandi (50.40 percent), Chamba (50.00 percent), Hamirpur (49.77percent), and Sirmaur (49.25 percent) (fig.2.5).

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The lowest percentage of working population has been recorded in the most populous’ district of Kangra (43.99 percent). There are two other districts of Una (44.99 percent) and Bilaspur (48.95 percent) where the share of working population low as compared to the state average. Thus it is clear that out of twelve districts of the state nine districts are showing working population percentages more than the state. Main workers: The proportion of main workers is 32.31 percent in the state of Himachal Pradesh as it was recorded in 2001. It is evident from the table 2.5 that the largest proportion of main workers (57.82 percent) is found in the district of Lahul & Spiti. Besides, there is only more district namely Kinnaur (51.46 percent) where the main working population is above 50 percent. The proportion of main working population depicts a sharp variation from 57.82 percent in Lahul & Spiti to 25.14 percent in Kangra. The districts where proportion of main workers is relatively higher include Kullu (43.69 percent) and Shimla (42.31 percent). The other districts which recorded percentage above the state average are Sirmaur (38.36 percent), Solan (34.42 percent) and Bilaspur (32.46percent). The remaining districts record a low

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proportion of main workers – Una (26.57 percent), Chamba (27.87 percent), Hamirpur (29.05 percent) and Mandi (29.85 percent). Marginal workers: The marginal workers constitute 16.92 percent of the total population of the state in 2001. At the district level, Chamba (22.13 percent) records the highest proportion of marginal working population. Chamba is closely followed by Hamirpur (20.73percent) and Mandi (20.55 percent), both districts contains more than 20percent of their working population as marginal. The other districts with relatively high percentage of marginal workers are Kangra (18.85 percent), Una (18.43 percent), Solan (18.21 percent), Bilaspur (16.4 percent) and Kullu (13.05 percent). In remaining districts this proportion of marginal workers varies between 5.66 percent in Lahul & Spiti to 10.90 percent in Sirmaur. Kinnaur (9.57 percent) and Shimla (8.93 percent) are other districts with low proportion of marginal workers. It can be arrived that the high dependency of agricultural sector is resulted into high proportion of marginal workers in the state and vice versa.

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Map 2.5

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2.2.6 Level of Urbanization (2001) Level of urbanization in this section has been depicted mainly through the proportion of urban population to the total population of the state. Urban population is also considered as the positive indicator of development in any state. The increasing trend of urban population is generally assumed as a shift of traditional rural society to a modern urban society. Table 2.6 District-wise Urban Population in Himachal Pradesh (2001) District Total

Population Urban

Population Level of

Urbanization (%)

Bilaspur 340735 21949 6.44 Chamba 460499 34518 7.49 Hamirpur 412009 30173 7.32 Kangra 1338536 72174 5.40 Kinnaur 77007 -- -- Kullu 379865 30093 7.89 Lahul & Spiti 33224 -- -- Mandi 900987 60958 6.77 Shimla 721745 166833 23.15 Sirmaur 458351 47586 10.39 Solan 499380 91175 18.22 Una 447967 39422 8.79 TOTAL 6070305 594881 9.8 Source: Statistical Outline of Himachal Pradesh, 2001-02. According to 2001 Census, Himachal Pradesh is the least urbanized state of India with an urban population of only 9.8 percent. The hilly topographical structure of the state can be said as its main reason, because its undulating topography does not allow the urban areas to spread and convert into a large urban agglomeration. Shimla Municipal Corporation consisting Jutogh Cantonment Board is the only urban agglomeration of the state in 2001. The total urban population of the state was 594881 in 2001.

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At the district level, Table 2.6 depicts that Shimla district records the highest 23.15 percent urban population. The location of Shimla state capital within its jurisdiction can be its main reason. Solan district with 18.22 percent occupies second position. Except Shimla and Solan all remaining districts are showing very meager percent of urban population. Sirmaur is the third district; otherwise all districts are showing less than 10 percent of urban population proportion (fig.2.6). Kangra is the least urbanized district with 5.40 percent of urban population though this is the biggest district in terms of absolute population in the state other districts which recorded low urban population are Bilaspur (6.44 percent), Mandi(6.77 percent), Hamirpur (7.32 percent), Chamba (7.49 percent), Kullu (7.89 percent) and Una (8.79 percent). All these districts comprise urban population less that the state average.

.

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Map 2.6

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2.2.7 Unemployment (2006-07) Employment has a very important role to play in enhancing human capabilities. In not only, ensures economic security but also promotes general participation in society and the economy. Employment is necessary for promoting better health and education not only for those who are employed but also for those who are dependent on them. In addition it provides, a sense f dignity to the individual (India, Human Development Department, 2011). Table 2.7 District-wise Employment Statistics in Himachal Pradesh (2006-07) District Applicants on

Live Register Vacancies

Notified Vacancies to

Applicants (%) Bilaspur 48534 137 0.28 Chamba 46033 488 1.06 Hamirpur 66598 253 0.38 Kangra 155908 407 0.26 Kinnaur 8056 688 8.54 Kullu 49819 176 0.35 Lahul & Spiti 4368 318 7.28 Mandi 116966 146 0.12 Shimla 107905 86 0.08 Sirmaur 48666 600 1.23 Solan 46560 1508 3.24 Una 57567 1325 2.3 TOTAL 756980 6132 0.81 Source: Self analyzed The situation in regard to employment is very miserable and unsatisfactory in the state of Himachal Pradesh. In 2006-07, the state was having 756980 applicants on the live register of employment exchange and the vacancies were notified only 6132 i.e. 0.81 percent of the total applicants. At the district level, the situation was more worse in reference to some districts live Shimla the state capital, showing only 0.08 percent notified vacancies least among

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Map 2.7

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all districts. Other districts with less than one percent notified vacancies are Mandi (0.12 percent), Kangra (0.26 percent), Bilaspur (0.28 percent) and Hamirpur (0.38 percent). Kinnaur is the leading district with 8.54 percent of highest notified vacancies during the year 2006-07 followed by Lahul & Spiti with 7.28 percent. Besides, other districts show the number of notified vacancies less than four percent. These districts are Solan (3.25 percent), Una (2.3 percent), Sirmaur (1.23 percent) and Chamba (1.06 percent) fig.2.7.

2.3 DEMOGRAPHIC INDICATORS (2011) The state of Himachal Pradesh generally has been a well performing state in India which is among top five states of country in terms of human development. The position of Himachal Pradesh has barely changed over the past decade. The changes, which have occurred in reference to selected human indicators in Himachal Pradesh, will be discussed in this section.

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The chapter focuses mainly on some selected indicators to analyze the demographic profile of the state. The indicators are: (i) Population growth (ii) Population density (iii) Sex ratio (iv) Literacy rate (v) Level of urbanization (vi) Unemployment 2.3.1 Population Growth (2001-11) The population of the state has increased from 6077900 in 2001 to 6856509 in 2001 showing the growth rate of 12.81 percent. It may be observed from Table 2.8 that almost all district of the state are showing an increase in population except Lahul & Spiti. Lahul & Spiti is the only district experiencing the decline of population in 2011. The extreme climatic and topographical conditions of the district could be the main reason probably resulting into migration (fig.2.8). Table 2.8 District-wise Population Growth in Himachal Pradesh (2001-2011) District Total

Population (2001)

Total Population

(2011)

Population Growth

(2001-2011) Bilaspur 3040735 382056 12.08 Chamba 460499 518844 12.58 Hamirpur 412009 454293 10.08 Kangra 1338536 1507223 12.56 Kinnaur 83950 84298 7.61 Kullu 379865 437474 14.65 Lahul & Spiti 33224 31528 -5.10 Mandi 900987 999518 10.89 Shimla 721745 813384 12.58 Sirmaur 458351 530164 15.61 Solan 499380 576670 15.21 Una 447967 521057 16.24 TOTAL 6077900 6856509 12.81 Source: Census of India 2011 (Prov.), H.P.

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Except Lahul & Spiti, all districts of Himachal Pradesh are showing population growth in the decade. Broadly, these districts can be classified into two categories on the basis of population growth in 2011: (1) Population growth above the state average: The highest population

growth is observed in Una district, showing 16.24 percent growth in 2011. The Una district is very closely followed by Sirmaur (15.61 percent) and Solan (15.21 percent). Kullu is another district to be mentioned, recorded 14.65 percent population growth in 2011.

(2) Population growth below the state average: Although, the district of

Shimla, Chamba, Kangra and Bilaspur are showing population growth below than the state percent, but these district are very close to the state figure as they experienced 12.58 (Shimla and Chamba), 12.56 and 12.08 percent respectively, population growth in the decade. The districts of Mandi and Hamirpur record the population growth of 10.89 percent and 10.08 percent respectively. Kinnaur (7.61 percent) is the only district, except Lahul & Spiti showing negative figure, which depicts population growth less than ten percent in 2011.

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Map 2.8

37

Map 2.9

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However, the data states that the population has increased in the state of Himachal Pradesh from 2001 to 2011 but the population growth rate has been decreased from 17.5 in 2011to 12.81 in 2011. Besides, all districts of the state are also showing a decline in terms of population growth rate. For instance, Solan recorded highest population growth with 30.94 percent in 1991-2001 but in 2011-2011 it has dropped tremendously to 15.21 percent almost half of the previous decade. Besides, all other district has also witnessed a decline in population growth rate from previous decade. 2.3.2 Population Density (2011) The state shows density of 123 persons per square kilometer in 2011 in comparison to 109 persons per square kilometer in 2001. This increase in density generally manifests the increase in population. At the district level, the population density is showing a very high variation. The district level data can be generalized under the following categories (fig.2.9): Table 2.9 District-wise Population Density in Himachal Pradesh (2011) District Area

(sq.kms.) Total

Population Density

(persons/sq.km) Bilaspur 1167 382056 327 Chamba 6528 518844 80 Hamirpur 1118 454293 406 Kangra 5739 1507223 263 Kinnaur 6401 84298 13 Kullu 5503 437474 79 Lahul & Spiti 13835 31528 02 Mandi 3950 999518 253 Shimla 5131 813384 159 Sirmaur 2825 530164 188 Solan 1936 500557 298 Una 1540 521057 338 TOTAL 55673 6856509 123 Source: Census of India 2011, Provisional Population Totals, Himachal Pradesh.

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(1) High Population Density (Above 200): The highest population density is found in Hamirpur district (406 persons per sq.km) followed by Una (338 persons) and Hamirpur (327 persons). These are three more districts in this category namely Solan (298 persons), Kangra (263 persons) and Mandi (253 persons) all of them show the population density more than 200 persons.

(2) Medium Population Density (100 – 200): There are only two districts namely Sirmaur and Shimla showing population density of 188 and 159 respectively.

(3) Low Population Destiny (Below 100): There are four remaining districts coming under this category. These districts are Chamba (80), Kullu (79), Kinnaur (13) and Lahul & Spiti (2). All four districts are called as the most underdeveloped districts of the state of Himachal Pradesh due to their extreme climatic conditions and invincible terrain.

However, the population density has increased in the decade of 2001-2011 but the ranking of districts has barely changed from the previous decade. For instance, Hamirpur district is still showing the highest population density among the districts at it was in 2001. Lahul & Spiti retained its position of least densely populated district in 2011.

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Map 2.10

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2.3.3 Sex Ratio (2011)

The sex composition of population is an important indicator of social development. Data on sex-ratio in table 2.10 indicates that an overall till in favor of males is decreasing in the recent period in Himachal Pradesh. It may be observed from the data that the sex ratio has been increased in Himachal Pradesh from 968 in 2001 to 974 in 2011. However, the sex ratio of the state has increased in the decade but the variation is reflected at the district level.

Table 2.10 District-wise Sex ratio in Himachal Pradesh (2011) District Male

Population Females

Population Sex Ratio

(females per 1000 males)

Bilaspur 192827 189229 981 Chamba 260848 257996 989 Hamirpur 216742 237551 1096 Kangra 748559 758664 1013 Kinnaur 46364 37964 818 Kullu 224320 213154 950 Lahul & Spiti 16455 15073 916 Mandi 496787 502731 1012 Shimla 424486 388898 916 Sirmaur 276801 253363 915 Solan 306162 270508 884 Una 263541 257516 977 TOTAL 3473892 3382617 974 Source: Census of India 2011 (Prov.), H.P.

In reference to sex ratio in 2011 all twelve districts of the state are divided into two equal parts. On one hand, total six districts of the state namely Hamirpur (1096), Kangra (1013), Mandi (1012), Chamba (989), Bilaspur (981) and Una (977) are showing sex ratio more than the overall figure of the state and on the other hand, six remaining districts namely Kullu (950), Shimla and Lahul & Spiti (916), Sirmaur (915), Solan (884) and Kinnaur (818), have recorded sex ratio figure less than the state’s (fig.2.10).

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Map 2.11

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Although, as compared to sex ratio in 2001, the top three districts – Hamirpur, Kangra and Mandi are same as in 2011 but the sex ratio has been declined in all of them. The district of Lahul & Spiti has improved its status from bottom in 2001 to rank eighth with Shimla district by securing 916 females per thousand males. Other districts are showing same ranking as of 2001. 2.3.4 Literacy Rate (2011) The data presented in Table 2.11 reveals that total literacy rate has improved considerably in the state from 76.5 percent in 2001 to 83.78 percent in 2011. The male literacy rate has been recorded as 90.83 percent as compared to 85.3 percent in 2001. The data exhibits that the females have shown remarkable progress in literacy i.e. almost ten percent increase as the female literacy rate is 76.60 percent as compared to 67.4 percent in 2001. At the district level, the literacy rate is very pleasant because all twelve districts are showing more than 70 percent of their population as literate. Hamirpur is the leading district with 89.01 percent of literate population. The district level data of literacy easily classify all districts of the state in two main categories (fig.2.11):

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Table 2.11 District-wise Literacy Rate in Himachal Pradesh (2011) District Male Literacy

Rate (%) Female Literacy

Rate (%) Total Literacy

Rate (%) Bilaspur 92.39 78.90 85.67 Chamba 84.19 62.14 73.19 Hamirpur 95.28 83.44 89.01 Kangra 92.55 80.62 86.49 Kinnaur 88.37 71.34 80.77 Kullu 88.80 71.01 80.14 Lahul & Spiti 86.97 66.50 77.24 Mandi 91.51 74.33 82.81 Shimla 90.73 77.80 84.55 Sirmaur 86.76 72.55 79.98 Solan 91.19 78.02 85.02 Una 92.75 81.67 87.23 TOTAL 90.83 76.60 83.78 Source: Census of India 2011 (Prov.), H.P. (1) Literacy rate above the state: Hamirpur (89.01 percent) records highest

literacy rate followed by Una (87.23 percent), Kangra (86.49 percent), Bilaspur (85.67 percent), Solan (85.02 percent) and Shimla (84.55 percent).

(2) Literacy rate below the state: However, six remaining districts are falling

under this category but their literacy rate is not very low as compared to testate figure of 83.78 percent. Literacy rate in Mandi district (82.81 percent) is very close to the state figure, followed by Kinnaur (80.77 percent), Kullu (80.14 percent), Sirmaur (79.98 percent), and Lahul & Spiti (77.24 percent), Chamba (73.19 percent) is the least literate district in the state in 2011.

In reference to male literacy, total seven districts of the state are showing more than 90 percent of their population as literate. The male literacy rate is also leading by Hamirpur district with 95.28 percent male literate population followed by Una (92.75 percent), Kangra (92.55 percent), Bilaspur (92.39 percent), Mandi (91.51 percent), Solan (91.19 percent) and Shimla (90.73 percent).

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Map 2.12

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The female’s literacy rate has also shown remarkable progress in the state. Hamirpur district is still leading with 83.44 percent female literacy rate closely followed by Una (81.67 percent) and Kangra (80.62 percent), Chamba district (62.14 percent) is the least literate district in reference to female population. 2.3.5 Level of Urbanization (2011) According to the data presented in Table 2.12, the status of Himachal Pradesh has barely changed in reference to composition of urban population to total population. The state comprises only 10.04 percent of its population as urban, compared to 9.8 percent in 2001. Shimla, being the capital of state, is still leading in terms of urban population within 24.77 percent urbanized population. Solan is the second leading district as it was in 2001, however, the percent of urban population declined from 18.22 percent in 2001 to 17.70 percent in 2011. Sirmaur is the third largest district in urban population experiencing a very minimal increase from 10.39 percent in 201to 10.80 percent in 2011. Except these three districts, all remaining district are showing urban population less than ten percent of total population of the district (fig.2.12).

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Table 2.12 District-wise urban population in Himachal Pradesh (2011) District Total

Population Urban

Population Level of

Urbanization (%) Bilaspur 382056 25126 6.58 Chamba 518844 36191 6.98 Hamirpur 454293 31413 6.91 Kangra 1507223 86359 5.73 Kinnaur 84298 -- -- Kullu 437474 41258 9.43 Lahul & Spiti 31528 -- -- Mandi 999518 62624 6.27 Shimla 813384 201500 24.77 Sirmaur 530164 57238 10.80 Solan 576670 102078 17.70 Una 521057 44917 8.62 TOTAL 6856509 688704 10.04 Source: Census of India 2011 (Prov.), H.P.

There are four districts namely Chamba, Hamirpur, Mandi and Una where the proportion of urban population has declined as compared to previous decade Kinnaur and Lahul & Spiti are still showing completely absence of urban population in these districts.

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Map 2.13

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2.3.6 Unemployment (2011) According to table 2.13, the employment status is very miserable in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It reveals that the total notified vacancies during the year 2010- Table 2.13 District-wise Employment Statistics in Himachal Pradesh (2011) District Applicants on

Live Register Vacancies

Notified Vacancies to

Applicants (%) Bilaspur 52269 100 0.19 Chamba 58139 90 0.15 Hamirpur 65184 87 0.13 Kangra 185273 611 0.33 Kinnaur 7819 1483 18.97 Kullu 49398 73 0.15 Lahul & Spiti 4234 01 0.02 Mandi 147221 228 0.15 Shimla 92810 527 0.57 Sirmaur 49125 1393 2.84 Solan 55681 1542 2.77 Una 58611 597 1.02 TOTAL 825764 6732 0.02 Source: Self analyzed

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Map 2.14

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11 were just 6732 as compared to 825764 total applicants on the live register. The total notified vacancies were only 0.02 percent of registered applicants (fig.2.13). At the district level, the situation is so miserable that total eight districts of the state showing less than one percent of notified vacancies to the applicants on live register Kinnaur (18.97 percent) recorded highest notified vacancies during the year. Sirmaur, Solan and Una are other three districts to notify more than one percent vacancies with 2.84 percent, 2.77 percent and 1.02 percent respectively.