Government of Tamilnadu

Department of Employment and Training

Course : TNPSC Group I Exam

Subject : Geography
Topic : Social Geography - Population density and distribution

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Commissioner,
Department of Employment and Training
 IRCLEGeography

POPULATION DENSITY AND DISTRIBUTION

POPULATION:
India is the second most populous country in the world after China. The first all India census, though
not taken synchronously, was completed in 1872. Since 1881, the census has been taken every decade, the
latest having been completed in 2011. According to the 2011 Census the total population of India was about
121.02 crore (1.21 billion) having registered a growth of 17.64 per cent over the 2001 figure. This total of 1.21
billion comprises about 623.7 million males and about 586.5 million females. Prersently India represents
about 17.31 per cent of the total population of the world.
POPULATION DENSITY:
Average density of population as per 2011 census is 382 persons per sq.km. the however, the density
is not uniform throughout the country. The highest density is in the NCT of Delhi – 11297 persons per sq.km.
Among the states, Bihar has the highest density – 1102 persons per sq.km. The lowest density is in Arunachal
Pradesh- 17 persons per sq.km.
One state in the country that has witnessed a negative growth in population, namely Nagaland, has
also witnessed a decline in density, from 120 persons per sq.km to 119 persons per sq.km.
SEX RATIO
The sex ratio in India is negative, i.e. there are fewer females than males in the country. The average
sex ratio according to 2011 Census is 940 females per thousand males. This figure shows a growth over the
figures for 2001 census, when the average sex ratio was 933 females per 1000 males. Kerala is the only state
with more females than males – 1084 females per 1000 males. Among Union Territories only Puducherry has
a positive sex ratio – 1038 females per 1000 males. Among states, Haryana has the lowest sex ratio – 877
females per 1000 males. The state of Tamil Nadu has the most even sex ratio among states – 995 females per
1000 males.
LITERACY:
Literacy rate is another important characteristic of population. Average rate of literacy according to
2011 Census is 74.04 per cent. Literacy is higher among males (82.14 per cent) than among female (65.91 per
cent). The highest literacy rate is among females (93.91 per cent). Kerala also has the distinction of having a
female literacy rate of more than 90 per cent. The lowest female literacy rate is in Bihar (63.82 per cent). The
lowest female literacy rate is also in Bihar (53.33 per cent). Among the Union Territories Lakshadweep has
the highest literacy rate (92.28 per cent) while Dadra and Nagar Haveli has the lowest literacy rate (77.65 per
cent) among them.
TREND OF GROWTH:
Population in India has been continuously growing since 1921 and the decade 1911-21 was the only
period of negative growth in population. The decadal growth rate showed a rising trend till 1971 when it
reached 24.80 per cent. This trend of rising growth rate has since been reversed and has come down to 17.64
per cent during 2001-11. However the growth rate in some parts of the country is still high. Dadra and Nagar
Haveli had the some parts of the country is still high. Dadra and Nagar Haveli had the highest growth rate of
55.50 per cent while Daman and Diu followed it closely with 53.54 per cent. The highest growth rate among
states has been in Meghalaya (27.82 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (25.92 per cent), Bihar (25.07 per cent),
Jammu and Kashmir (23.71 per cent), Mizoram (22.78 per cent), Chhattisgarh (25.59 per cent), Jharkhand
(22.34 per cent), Rajasthan (21. 44 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (20.30 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (20.09
per cent). Among the larger states Kerala has the lowest growth rate (4.86 per cent). Nagaland is the only
state in the country to have shown a negative growth rate (-0.47 per cent).
TRIBAL GROUPS
SL.NO.
1. Abhors People of Mongoloid stock living in the north-easter parts of India
2. Adivasis Tribals of Bastar district, Chhattisgarh

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 IRCLEGeography

3. Angami Tribals of Nagaland

4. Ao Tribals of Nagaland
5. Apatanis Tribals of Arunachal Pradesh
6. Badagas Tribals of Nilgiri region in Tamil Nadu
7. Baiga Tribals of Madhya Pradesh
8. Bakkarwals People of Jammu & Kashmir who rear sheep and goats
9. Bhils People of Davidian stock now living in central India (MP) and Rajathan
10. Bhotias Tribals of Garhwal and Kumaon regions in Uttarakhand, and Sikkim and West Bengal
11. Bhuia Tribals of MP
12. Birhors A tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkahand and Odisha.
13. Chang Tribals found in North-East
14. Chenchus Tribals of Andhra Pradesh.
15. Chutra Tribals of Assam
16. Gaddis Tribals of Himachal Pradesh whio rear sheep
17. Gallong Tribals found in the North-East
18. Garos Hill tribe of Meghalaya and Assam
19. Gonds Tribals inhabiting forests in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
20. Gujjars Animal rearers of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
21. Irula Tribnals of Tamil Nadu
22. Jaintias Hill tribe of Meghalaya and Assam.
23. Jarawas One of the oldest tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands inhabiting Little Andamans.
24. Kanikar Tribals found in Tamil Nadu
25. Katkari Tribals of MP
26. Kharia Tribals of MP
27. Khasa Tribals of Jaunsar Bhabar region in Uttara Khand.
28. Khasis Hill tribe of Meghalaya and Tripura.
29. Khonds Tribals inhabiting parts of Odisha
30. Kol Tribals of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
31. Kolam Tribe of Andhra Pradesh
32. Kotas Tribals of Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu.
33. Kuki A tribe of Maniput, Assam, Nagaland and Tripura.
34. Lahaulas Tribals inhabiting Lahaul region in Himachal Pradesh.
35. Lepchas Original tribal inhabitants of Sikkim.
36. Lushai Tribals of Mizoram and Tripura
37. Murias Tribals of Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
38. Mikirs A tribe group of Assam.
39. Mompa Tribal found in the North-East
40. Moplahs Muslims of the Malabar district in Kerala.
41. Munda A tribe of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura and Chhattisgarh.
42. Nagas Tribals of Nagaland
43. Nishi Tribals of Nagaland.
44. Oraon Tribals inhabiting parts of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal.
45. Onges One of the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
46. Pho Tribals of the North-East.
47. Rengma Tribals of the North-East.
48. Sabra Tribals of MP

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 IRCLEGeography

49. Sangtam Tribals of the North-East.

50. Santhals Tribals living in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.
51. Sema Tribals found in Nagaland
52. Sentinelese One of the short statured tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
53. Shompens Another tribal group of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
54. Todas Tribals of the Nilgiri Hills.
55. Uralis Tribals inhabiting parts of Kerala
56. Varlis Tribals of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
57. Wancho Tribals found in the North-East
58. Yurva Tribals found in Tamil Nadu

TAMILNADU POPULATION
Tamilndu is the 11th largest state in terms of area. The state is the sseventh most populous state in the
country. Population of Tamilnadu according to 2011 census stands at about 72 million.
 Sex ratio - 995 Tamilnadu Urban Frame 2011
 Density 1 km2 - 555  Corporation -1
 Literacy - 80.09%  Municipalities - 148
 Male Literacy - 86.77%  Cantonment Board -2
 Female Literacy - 73.44%  Town Panchayats - 561
 Districts - 32  Census Towns - 376
 Taluks - 215
 Towns - 1097
 Villages - 15243
 Block - 385
 Village Panchayats - 12620

Ranking of Districts of Population Size LOWEST

1. Chennai 1. Karu
2. Kancheepuram 2. Ariyalur
3. Vellore 3. Nilgiris
4. Thiruvallur 4. Perambalur
5. Salem

Ranking of Districts of Sex - ratio LOWEST

1. Nilgiris - 1041 1. Dharmapuri - 946
2. Thanjavur - 1031 2. Salem - 954
3. Nagapatinam - 1025
4. Thoothukkudi - 1024
5. Tirunelveli - 1024

LARGEST DISTRICT HIGHEST LITERACY LOWEST LITERACY

1. Viluppuram 1. Kanniya Kumari 1. Krishnagiri
2. Tirunelveli 2. Chennai 2. Viluppuram
3. Tiruvanmalai 3. Thoothukkudi 3. Ariyalur
4. Vellore 4. Nilgiri 4. Dharmapuri
5. Dindigul 5. Kancheepuram

Child Sex Ratio = 946

Page 3
 IRCLEGeography

POPULATION DENSITY AND DISTRIBUTION

POPULATION:
India is the second most populous country in the world after China. The first all India census, though
not taken synchronously, was completed in 1872. Since 1881, the census has been taken every decade, the
latest having been completed in 2011. According to the 2011 Census the total population of India was about
121.02 crore (1.21 billion) having registered a growth of 17.64 per cent over the 2001 figure. This total of 1.21
billion comprises about 623.7 million males and about 586.5 million females. Prersently India represents
about 17.31 per cent of the total population of the world.
POPULATION DENSITY:
Average density of population as per 2011 census is 382 persons per sq.km. the however, the density
is not uniform throughout the country. The highest density is in the NCT of Delhi – 11297 persons per sq.km.
Among the states, Bihar has the highest density – 1102 persons per sq.km. The lowest density is in Arunachal
Pradesh- 17 persons per sq.km.
One state in the country that has witnessed a negative growth in population, namely Nagaland, has
also witnessed a decline in density, from 120 persons per sq.km to 119 persons per sq.km.
SEX RATIO
The sex ratio in India is negative, i.e. there are fewer females than males in the country. The average
sex ratio according to 2011 Census is 940 females per thousand males. This figure shows a growth over the
figures for 2001 census, when the average sex ratio was 933 females per 1000 males. Kerala is the only state
with more females than males – 1084 females per 1000 males. Among Union Territories only Puducherry has
a positive sex ratio – 1038 females per 1000 males. Among states, Haryana has the lowest sex ratio – 877
females per 1000 males. The state of Tamil Nadu has the most even sex ratio among states – 995 females per
1000 males.
LITERACY:
Literacy rate is another important characteristic of population. Average rate of literacy according to
2011 Census is 74.04 per cent. Literacy is higher among males (82.14 per cent) than among female (65.91 per
cent). The highest literacy rate is among females (93.91 per cent). Kerala also has the distinction of having a
female literacy rate of more than 90 per cent. The lowest female literacy rate is in Bihar (63.82 per cent). The
lowest female literacy rate is also in Bihar (53.33 per cent). Among the Union Territories Lakshadweep has
the highest literacy rate (92.28 per cent) while Dadra and Nagar Haveli has the lowest literacy rate (77.65 per
cent) among them.
TREND OF GROWTH:
Population in India has been continuously growing since 1921 and the decade 1911-21 was the only
period of negative growth in population. The decadal growth rate showed a rising trend till 1971 when it
reached 24.80 per cent. This trend of rising growth rate has since been reversed and has come down to 17.64
per cent during 2001-11. However the growth rate in some parts of the country is still high. Dadra and Nagar
Haveli had the some parts of the country is still high. Dadra and Nagar Haveli had the highest growth rate of
55.50 per cent while Daman and Diu followed it closely with 53.54 per cent. The highest growth rate among
states has been in Meghalaya (27.82 per cent), Andhra Pradesh (25.92 per cent), Bihar (25.07 per cent),
Jammu and Kashmir (23.71 per cent), Mizoram (22.78 per cent), Chhattisgarh (25.59 per cent), Jharkhand
(22.34 per cent), Rajasthan (21. 44 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (20.30 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (20.09
per cent). Among the larger states Kerala has the lowest growth rate (4.86 per cent). Nagaland is the only
state in the country to have shown a negative growth rate (-0.47 per cent).
TRIBAL GROUPS
SL.NO.
1. Abhors People of Mongoloid stock living in the north-easter parts of India
2. Adivasis Tribals of Bastar district, Chhattisgarh

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 IRCLEGeography

3. Angami Tribals of Nagaland

4. Ao Tribals of Nagaland
5. Apatanis Tribals of Arunachal Pradesh
6. Badagas Tribals of Nilgiri region in Tamil Nadu
7. Baiga Tribals of Madhya Pradesh
8. Bakkarwals People of Jammu & Kashmir who rear sheep and goats
9. Bhils People of Davidian stock now living in central India (MP) and Rajathan
10. Bhotias Tribals of Garhwal and Kumaon regions in Uttarakhand, and Sikkim and West Bengal
11. Bhuia Tribals of MP
12. Birhors A tribal group of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkahand and Odisha.
13. Chang Tribals found in North-East
14. Chenchus Tribals of Andhra Pradesh.
15. Chutra Tribals of Assam
16. Gaddis Tribals of Himachal Pradesh whio rear sheep
17. Gallong Tribals found in the North-East
18. Garos Hill tribe of Meghalaya and Assam
19. Gonds Tribals inhabiting forests in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
20. Gujjars Animal rearers of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
21. Irula Tribnals of Tamil Nadu
22. Jaintias Hill tribe of Meghalaya and Assam.
23. Jarawas One of the oldest tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands inhabiting Little Andamans.
24. Kanikar Tribals found in Tamil Nadu
25. Katkari Tribals of MP
26. Kharia Tribals of MP
27. Khasa Tribals of Jaunsar Bhabar region in Uttara Khand.
28. Khasis Hill tribe of Meghalaya and Tripura.
29. Khonds Tribals inhabiting parts of Odisha
30. Kol Tribals of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra
31. Kolam Tribe of Andhra Pradesh
32. Kotas Tribals of Nilgiri Hills in Tamil Nadu.
33. Kuki A tribe of Maniput, Assam, Nagaland and Tripura.
34. Lahaulas Tribals inhabiting Lahaul region in Himachal Pradesh.
35. Lepchas Original tribal inhabitants of Sikkim.
36. Lushai Tribals of Mizoram and Tripura
37. Murias Tribals of Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
38. Mikirs A tribe group of Assam.
39. Mompa Tribal found in the North-East
40. Moplahs Muslims of the Malabar district in Kerala.
41. Munda A tribe of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Tripura and Chhattisgarh.
42. Nagas Tribals of Nagaland
43. Nishi Tribals of Nagaland.
44. Oraon Tribals inhabiting parts of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal.
45. Onges One of the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
46. Pho Tribals of the North-East.
47. Rengma Tribals of the North-East.
48. Sabra Tribals of MP

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 IRCLEGeography

49. Sangtam Tribals of the North-East.

50. Santhals Tribals living in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha.
51. Sema Tribals found in Nagaland
52. Sentinelese One of the short statured tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
53. Shompens Another tribal group of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
54. Todas Tribals of the Nilgiri Hills.
55. Uralis Tribals inhabiting parts of Kerala
56. Varlis Tribals of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
57. Wancho Tribals found in the North-East
58. Yurva Tribals found in Tamil Nadu

TAMILNADU POPULATION
Tamilndu is the 11th largest state in terms of area. The state is the sseventh most populous state in the
country. Population of Tamilnadu according to 2011 census stands at about 72 million.
 Sex ratio - 995 Tamilnadu Urban Frame 2011
 Density 1 km2 - 555  Corporation -1
 Literacy - 80.09%  Municipalities - 148
 Male Literacy - 86.77%  Cantonment Board -2
 Female Literacy - 73.44%  Town Panchayats - 561
 Districts - 32  Census Towns - 376
 Taluks - 215
 Towns - 1097
 Villages - 15243
 Block - 385
 Village Panchayats - 12620

Ranking of Districts of Population Size LOWEST

1. Chennai 1. Karu
2. Kancheepuram 2. Ariyalur
3. Vellore 3. Nilgiris
4. Thiruvallur 4. Perambalur
5. Salem

Ranking of Districts of Sex - ratio LOWEST

1. Nilgiris - 1041 1. Dharmapuri - 946
2. Thanjavur - 1031 2. Salem - 954
3. Nagapatinam - 1025
4. Thoothukkudi - 1024
5. Tirunelveli - 1024

LARGEST DISTRICT HIGHEST LITERACY LOWEST LITERACY

1. Viluppuram 1. Kanniya Kumari 1. Krishnagiri
2. Tirunelveli 2. Chennai 2. Viluppuram
3. Tiruvanmalai 3. Thoothukkudi 3. Ariyalur
4. Vellore 4. Nilgiri 4. Dharmapuri
5. Dindigul 5. Kancheepuram

Child Sex Ratio = 946

Page 3